The San Antonio Aquarium is defending its giant Pacific octopus after an incident left a 6-year-old boy, Leo, with bruises covering his arm.

In the most recent incident, PETA has called for the release of the octopus from the aquarium. PETA noted that the San Antonio Aquarium's owners also own the Austin Aquarium, which was issued an official warning by the USDA after a slew of customers were bitten, scratched, and otherwise injured by animals between June 2022 and May 2023.

The mother of a six-year-old boy has spoken out after a giant Pacific octopus grabbed his arm during a visit to an aquarium and left him covered in purple bruises