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.
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Comments (10)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
To that ridiculous comment on letting the put bill breed die out, you obviously know nothing of the breed. There is only something wrong with the owners. Any dog can be aggressive depending on their owner. I've been bitten by a dog that is in no part pitbull. I have never once been attacked by a pit. Pitbulls are naturally extremely loyal to people. The only issue they have is that they can be animal aggressive, so either they need to be in a home away from other animals or with an owner that is experienced enough to socialize them correctly. Pitbulls were bred to be fighting dogs..against other dogs. But they had to be human friendly enough so that people can come into the middle of the fight to grab the dog when they were all aggressive. The only reason a dog would be aggressive towards humans is because the owner is irresponsible which can lead to any dog being aggressive. They just need a proper owner to set in the correct social skills. They are my favorite breed because they do not shed, are a perfect size, are extremely intelligent for learning tricks and such, and soooooo lovable. I have a pitbull that wants to be around me constantly and she is laying on my lap taking a nap right now because she loves being around people so much. I can say the same for every other pitbull I have encountered, because they are all in the right hands. So you saying they should 'die out' is ridiculous. Maybe humans should just 'die out' since we are destroying everything on earth? Yah, didn't think so. Don't run your mouth and offend people who love the breed when you do not know basically anything of the breed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! As the owner of a perfectly lovable and tame pit, I'm furious about this ad.