McDonald's Radio Ad Referencing Pit Bulls Pulled After Angering Animal Owners

Published February 7, 2012

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McDonald's recently pulled a radio advertisement that was deemed insensitive toward pit bulls.

McDonald's has found itself in the dog house after launching an ad campaign that's been deemed insensitive towards pit bulls and pit bull owners.

A report from NBC 4 Washington stated that McDonald's, in a radio spot that only ran locally for a few days in Kansas City, referred to their new line of "Chicken McBites"as being safer to eat than petting a stray pit bull.

The implication of the advertisement, of course, is that pit bulls are naturally aggressive and in turn dangerous dogs. It seems to be the latest case of perpetuating the pre-existing negative stereotypes that surround the breed.

After the ad aired, the complaints filed in. People protested through various social media outlets, including through a Facebook page titled "Pitbulls Against McDonald's", a page that was liked more than 8,200 times.

Upon learning of the outcry against the corporation, McDonald's pulled the ad almost immediately from the local markets that it aired. They also pledged to do a better job marketing in the future.

What are your thoughts on McDonald's insensitive advertisement? Share them in a comment.

Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

Filed Under: News & Blogs, News
Tags: Dogs, advertisements, McDonald's, radio

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Comments (12)

english version download (Unverified)

Added 02-14-2013 05:37am

I really liked your blog. Keep writing.

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evanston hypothyroid (Unverified)

Added 01-21-2013 08:45am

Im grateful for the post. Much obliged.

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ashleigh (Unverified)

Added 04-21-2012 12:03am

This is the dumbest thing I've read in a longgggg time! My pits are the sweetest most loving dogs I've ever owned ! I've had little ankle biters more aggressive than them! It's horrible that mickey d's would stoop so low its not in the least bit humerous ! It's all on how you raise them and socialize them! For every one pitbull that bites someone there are 10.5 MILLION THAT DONT! they are not viscous animals. The most viscous animal is the one on the other end of the leash. Dogs are a reflection of there owners!

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Virginia (Unverified)

Added 02-11-2012 03:57pm

McDonald's obviously has some idiots running their advertisements. Hope others will learn from this. Pit Bulls are great animals, and it's the jerks who breed them agressively who are at falut, not the breed.

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 02-09-2012 02:53pm

to the comment about letting the breed "die out". That is the most ridiculous comment. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Pitbulls were the most common family dog in the '40's. They are lovingly referred to as "Nanny dogs" because of their love for children and young people. They were and are excellent working dogs and family dogs. I respect others' opinions on the matter, but that is beyond an unfair statement. I would never give up my pitbulls, and I NEVER want to see the breed die out.

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 02-09-2012 02:47pm

I'm much more afraid of eating McDonald's food than I am of petting a pitbull. Then again I own two pitbulls and I have worked as a vet tech for the last 6 years. NEVER have I come close to being bitten by a pitbull, and NEVER have I felt afraid or threatened by one. Shame on McDonalds for not doing their research.

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Anonymous

Added 02-09-2012 08:58am

I have had pitbulls almost all my life as well as other breeds. The most aggressive breed I have had has been a chihuahua. When people come over we ward them about our dog. At first they assume I'm talking about my pit, but no I'm talking about my chi. My pit will love on you, sit on you, and even lick you to death. My chi on the other hand will bite your face off. I think breeding the aggression out of pitbulls would be a smarter solution than just letting the breed die out. Not like that would actually happen. It would take years and years, but it could be done and it starts with responsible pit breeders. Sadly there are more uneducated dog owners than there are legit, intelligent pit breeders. To be more on topic, Mcdonald's obviously made a wrong decision for this campaign. I don't even know how anyone ok'd it and thought it would be funny. Where the ad execs sitting there with their ears covered when the ad was played for them? Real smooth Mcdonald's...real smooth.