TATUM: Punxsutawney Phil: A Shadowy Past
Many years ago, I discovered the dark side of Punxsutawney Phil when the pugnacious varmint assaulted a fellow outdoor writer during a Punxsutawney Phil meet and greet event held at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association (POWA) held in Dubois that year. Phil’s handlers had cautioned the writers in attendance to prudently approach Phil from the back or side during a photo session and not to confront him head-on since it might trigger a defensive reaction.
Source: pottsmerc.com