PETA activists demonstrate outside Tyson's home

HENDERSON, Nevada - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals demonstrated outside Mike Tyson's suburban home to protest the former boxing champion's role in pigeon racing.

Henderson police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said Tuesday the PETA demonstration on Monday outside Tyson's gated hillside neighborhood was peaceful.

Mike Tyson shows love of racing pigeons on his show
PETA slams Mike Tyson for his pigeon-racing TV show

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that some of the 20 protesters carried signs reading, "Featherweights: No match for a Heavyweight," and "Mike doesn't give pigeons a fighting chance."

An attempt to reach Tyson through his wife on Tuesday was not successful.

Tyson has been a pigeon racing breeder and fan since childhood in Brooklyn, New York City.

"The first thing I ever loved in my life was a pigeon," the 44-year-old says in the documentary. "I don't know why...I feel ridiculous trying to explain it. Pigeons are a part of my life. It's a constant with my sanity in a weird way; this is just what I do. If I'm lucky enough to die an old man, I'm going to have birds."

PETA's Lisa Lange says the protest followed Sunday night's debut of the Animal Planet show, "Taking on Tyson." It features Tyson competing with pigeon racers in the New York City area.