[Karibou]

There's no rules strictly prohibiting them from being in the pits--and I don't think there should be*--but it is INCREDIBLY unsafe to wear anything but appropriately-fitted clothing in there. I always cringe when I see large dogs, bears, cubes, aliens, and other things walking through the pit, spotted or not. 1189 even takes our mascot capes off before going in, just because they're very airy and prone to flying out behind whoever's wearing them. Even if there's no large rotating/spark-creating machinery around, loose fabric can easily get caught on pit corners, power cords, banner stands, or other people, and it creates a huge safety hazard. Not being able to use your peripheral vision also results in a lot of bumping into things and tripping. Bulky costumes also take up valuable pit and aisle space.

*I would hope that most teams recognize how much of a hazard mascots in the pit are, and how it reflects on their team - I know that I for one always remember who I see with mascots in the pit, and it always sends off giant sirens in my head blaring "UNSAFE TEAM UNSAFE TEAM UNSAFE TEAM"...it looks horrible in front of the judges, too!