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Aaargh! The UK ad watchdog The Advertising Standards Authority is investigating the Morrisons Christmas campaign because some people have complained that the main ad is sexist:
It’s a joke you muppets – and half the population is female. Would it have been OK with a stressed bloke?
And, we read, that The Kennel Club, which cheerfully oversees the breeding of spaniels with bad ears and other in-bred pooches, is objecting to another ad which features a dog eating a Christmas pudding:
Hold on to your hats:
Nick Sutton, health and information officer at the Kennel Club, says: “It is easy to forget that these foods are poisonous to dogs, especially as they are something that we can eat without any problems.
“As the Morrisons advert depicts, children often feed their dogs with food from their plates. By exposing children to this advert, it may encourage them to copy this behaviour and inadvertently poison their beloved pet dog.”
Come off it, a labrador of my acquaintance likes nothing more than to munch his way through a dead seagull or two when he’s taken for a walk on the beach.
Has the world gone stark raving mad?
Loonies Stephen? Really? The British Veterinary Association are loonies as well?
Allow me to quote in full their press release, just in case you missed it. Here it is.
“It is vital that advertisers use animals responsibly and we are disappointed to see the Morrisons Christmas desserts TV commercial depicting a small boy feeding Christmas pudding to his dog. Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and mince pies – because they contain raisins or sultanas – are potentially harmful to pets and in some cases can lead to kidney failure.
“While we accept that many pet owners understand what is and what is not appropriate to feed their pets, children watch adverts and can be easily influenced by what they see. Veterinary organisations and animal welfare charities work really hard to promote messages about responsible pet ownership and TV adverts such as this one, with huge audiences, can undermine this work.
“Christmas is a time for families but we must remember the health and welfare of our animals too. There are a number of festive foods that can cause potentially fatal health complications for pets. Chocolate is one of the most common causes of poisoning, especially in dogs, but it is also toxic to other species, for example cats, rabbits and rodents.
“Other foods such as grapes, avocadoes, sweets and liquorice, onions and garlic, and certain nuts (especially peanuts and Macadamia nuts) can all be toxic; rich and fatty foods such as turkey skin or sausages can trigger sickness and diarrhoea – and, at worst, conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis.
“It can be tempting to give pets special treats at Christmas but try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and don’t ruin your Christmas through carelessness.
“It you suspect your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, it is important to seek advice from your vet immediately. Don’t leave it!”
The BVA’s charity, the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF), in conjunction with the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), has produced a ‘Pets and Poisons’ leaflet which could help reduce dangers in the home not only at Christmas but all year round.” end…
Well thank goodness you know better Stephen and can protect all us unsuspecting dog owners from the rabid outpouring of this loony assault.
Perhaps I can pass on your pearls of wisdom to my veterinary nurse wife who deals with poisonings of this nature in dogs every year? Oh, and by the way Stephen. Poisoning from raisins and chocolate are the most common form of poisoning in dogs in the UK. And guess when the poisoning cases peak every year?
Lots of questions there Stephen, I know. But it seem from what you have said that the BVA, the KC and pet owners throughout the land are askew in their reasoning when it comes to the welfare of their beloved pets.
Tell you what. Why don’t you pop onto Facebook and comment there? That’s it! You’d get the message across to a much wider audience then. No, don’t thank me, it’s the least I can do after you have opened my eyes with your erudite and rational comments.
Have a great Christmas.
Graeme Shaw.
and let that be a lesson to you Stephen