Russian Footballer Hires Muzzled, Tie-Wearing Bear For Son's Birthday Party

Hired from a local circus after being seen on television, the bear is photographed wearing a muzzle and giving "rides" to Kirill Kombarov's two-year-old son.

Apr. 24, 2015, at 18:17 PM

This article was based on material provided by the CEN/Europics news agency, distributed via Newscom. We have been unable to verify its accuracy independently, for reasons explained here.

Kirill Kombarov, a football player in the Russian Premier League for FC Torpedo Moscow, has created a stir for hiring a local circus bear for his two-year-old son's birthday party.

Newscom

The images began circulating online and amongst animal rights activists and welfare groups.

Geektastic @Natalielinfoot

Money cannot buy class, what &^%* rents a live bear from the zoo for this child's 2nd b'day party #kirillkombarov #Disgraceful #sickening

10:46 PM - 20 Nov 2014

Twitter: @alik8

The bear was hired from the Stepan Nikulin Circus, and has appeared in multiple films and live television - which is where Kombarov first saw it.

Newscom

The photo has since been deleted from Kombarov's Instagram.

Other than deleting the photos from his social media, Kombarov has not responded to the backlash.