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Original poster

John Lewis advert and dog neglect?

16 replies

Teaandcakeplease · 20/11/2010 10:24

Not sure if this has been done already on another thread and I've missed it.

BBC News web link

On the one hand I can understand why the editor of the magazine and others are concerned, but on the other hand I'm thinking, is this PC gone mad again and surely people aren't daft enough in RL to leave a dog outside in freezing conditions, just from seeing the advert?

What does the mumsnet jury think?

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 20/11/2010 10:47

I think that is a big shaggy working dog and that is not a flimsy kennel and the boy obviously cares because he's taking the dog a stocking! I think it's fine.

Ilythia · 20/11/2010 11:25

That's a wolfhound in a shed. Not a small puppy in a kennel. Big difference.

MmeLindt · 20/11/2010 11:29

"We have already had people tell us they can't visit their father for Christmas because he thinks it is alright to leave the dog outside in the shed, because it's alright for John Lewis."

How ridiculous.

So if JL were to show a child being left in a kennel outside, would people think that they could do that with their DC?

I think it is silly. People who neglect their dogs do not do it because JL say it is ok. They do it because they are unfeeling bastards.

Doodlez · 20/11/2010 11:35

Nothing to do with thread subject matter but that little boy in the advert looks so like my DS it's scarey! I had to replay it to double-check the first time I saw the ad!

Original poster
Teaandcakeplease · 20/11/2010 11:45

That's exactly what I thought MmeLindt.

OP posts:
ohfuschia · 20/11/2010 11:51

But it would have made a better advert for them and their 'caring for everyone' at Christmas theme if the boy had been taking a stocking to the dog in a warm house, pretty basic error by the marketing people.

Vallhala · 20/11/2010 12:09

MmeLindt - in my experience as a rescuer and in that of other rescuers I have spoken to/heard from on this subject, the problem is that such an advert, particularly from such a well known and normally trusted 'institution' like JL normalises animal abuse.

I for one won't be shopping in John Lewis any more and I'm far from alone in rescue and animal rights circles. They have cynically removed the shot from the 30 second advert but not from the 60 second one, in response to a great deal of complaints about it.

John Lewis HQ, if you ever read this... shove your wares up your arse!

Pixel · 20/11/2010 18:04

Must admit, when I saw the ad I thought it wasn't very 'caring' to leave the dog out in the snow!

Original poster
Teaandcakeplease · 20/11/2010 19:35

ohfuschia that's a really good point.

OP posts:
earwicga · 22/11/2010 20:02

I see no tether on that dog. It is free to run around - which is exactly what a dog of that type needs. What a lot of fuss about absolutely nothing.

The dog is a deerhound:

'Deerhounds are adaptable to all sorts of lives and conditions and have many points in their favour. Though large, they are neat and many live in small houses with no trouble. Being tall and having little feathering on the legs, they do not bring in much wet or mud. Their grey colour does not show the dirt and their coat is long enough to keep them warm in the coldest weather. Many hounds live out in kennels all the year round, others bask by the fire-side.'

'Though deerhounds like the open spaces and can take all the exercise they are given when adult, they can equally well live and be very happy in more cramped conditions provided you take the trouble to take them out for exercise, and give them free galloping - especially once they are past puppy age.'
www.deerhound.co.uk/breed-standard/ownership.htm

earwicga · 22/11/2010 20:03

Vallhala - it would be abusive to contain this sort of animal 24/7.

girliefriend · 22/11/2010 20:07

I felt a bit sorry for the dog in the advert - it was snowing, poor thing!!!

DooinMeCleanin · 22/11/2010 20:12

earwicga, that is is probably true of that specific breed, but to layman they wouldn't have clue that the dog in the ad was a deerhound or capable of surviving harsh weather when another breed can't.

My dog has a similar looking long, shaggy coat and he sufffers in the cold. He seems to like being oustide and we often have to fight him to bring him back on a night. I won't let him sleep outside because all he has has is a kennel similar to the one in the ad. A night in the snow could possibly kill him.

The first thing dd1 said when she saw that ad is "That poor doggy is going to be very cold isn't? Can't we send Grandad to go and steal it and it can live in our front room next to our fire?" - The 'feel good' ad really upset her.

Some people really are thick when it comes dogs and their welfare and seeing that on the TV, even though they know it ios not real, would prove to them that dogs can sleep outside in the snow. DH cannot understand why I don't let our Terrier sleep outside when he 'clearly wants to' and he says I am 'being cruel making him come inside when he doesn't want to'

SpringHeeledJack · 22/11/2010 20:16

well I think it's dreadful

that dog clearly does not have opposable thumbs and therefore would be unable to open the stocking

thisisyesterday · 22/11/2010 20:20

are you all boycotting snoopy too then?

earwicga · 22/11/2010 20:30

Aw, Snoopy!

DooinMeCleanin - on that basis there is very little that could be shown on TV. PBS channels is all that would be left.

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