Hell hath no fury like 12,277 Pit Bull owners on Facebook scorned. Despite McDonald’s apologies for running a radio advertisement calling petting a stray Pit Bull “risky,” pro-Pit Bull activists are still pushing for further amends. They’ve even got a demonstration in the works.
Here’s the petition being circulated by the Pit Bulls Against McDonald’s Facebook group:
The undersigned are requesting that McDonald’s use it’s worldwide reach to make a difference for all the Pit Bulls that have been victims of a bad reputation that they neither earned, nor deserve. We want McDonald’s, a family company that many of us have loved and grown up with, to take a stand for family values – because those of us that love our Pit Bulls consider them family. We’d like McDonald’s to right this wrong by airing a commercial that shows the American Pit Bull Terrier in a positive light. If you need any actors, the shelters and rescues are chock of full of lovable characters that would love to ham it up for the camera.
The radio spot crime against Pit Bulls in question aired on February 3. “Trying a brand new menu item at McDonald’s isn’t risky,” it began. “You know what’s risky? Petting a stray Pit Bull. Or shaving your head just to see how it would look. That’s risky.”
The puppy poop hit the fan shortly after this ad made the rounds. McDonald’s, as already noted, has said it is sorry. “We apologize for running a local ad insensitive in its mention of pit bulls,” the company Tweeted on February 3. “We didn’t mean to offend anyone and the ad is being pulled.”
This was followed by a recorded apology: “In our effort to spread the word about our new Chicken McBites, a local radio ad has inadvertently offended some of our customers. The ad was insensitive in its mention of Pit Bulls. We apologize. We are pulling the ad, and will do a better job next time.”
None of this seems to have assuaged a critical mass of Pit Bull lovers.
“That makes me happy on some level,” one Facebook group member responded. “Now lets see if we can get them to donate to pitbull rescue groups.”
“McDonalds write the check to help save pitties everywhere,” another dittoed. “This sorry ass apology AND your pink slime just isnt up to snuff.”
“@ ASPCA I was thinking McDonald’s should do something for animal cruelty prevention month for their pit bull faux pas to help out shelters… ” Tweeted group member Jessica Mariella.
So now it’s a Pit Bull positive ad and some money for rescue efforts that are being demanded. Obviously McDonald’s hit a raw nerve with Pit Bull lovers—they tired of the negative assumptions that their dogs, and they, constantly face.
The Rally for Positive Change will take place on February 24, from noon until 12:30 PM:
***PLEASE GO, WITH OR WITHOUT DOGS – THIS IS NOT A STOREFRONT PROTEST, IT’S MORE LIKE A FLASH MOB, PLEASE READ BELOW, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!***
We’re taking it to the streets!!!!
Load your doggies in the car (all breeds welcome, we don’t discriminate) and drive to your nearest McDonald’s. Walking is good too!
Go through the drive through and tell the cashier that you are boycotting until you see a POSITIVE CHANGE – a Pit Bull in a McDonald’s commercial. If you really want to make a point, tell them how much you would normally have spent on their food that day.
Don’t argue with them, don’t get loud, don’t get angry. Simply make your statement and drive off or walk away.
