PETA slams Mike Tyson for his pigeon-racing TV show

(CBS) -Mike Tyson has ruffled a few feathers with an animal rights group for his new reality show, "Taking on Tyson," which showcases the boxing legend's passion for pigeon racing.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) say it plans to rally outside Tyson's gated community in Henderson, Nev. today to protest against his television series.

"If Mike Tyson truly loved birds, he would fight for their protection -- not force them into a 'race' that tears them away from their families and subjects them to injuries, exhaustion, and death," says PETA Vice President Lisa Lange.

"Taking on Tyson," a six-part documentary which premiered on Animal Planet Sunday, follows the former heavyweight champion and lifelong pigeon lover as he builds a team of veterans to compete in pigeon racing.

"The first thing I ever loved in my life was a pigeon," the 44-year-old saysin 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."

Tyson, who says he threw his first punch over a pigeon, has a rooftop coop in Jersey City, N.J. dubbed "Tyson's Corner." He recently told ESPN that he has looked after thousands of pigeons in his life.