VW Ad Garners Complaints for Depiction of Cowering, Shivering Dog

vw_cowering_dog.jpg

Once again humor is trumped by those who love to bitch about ads with animals in them. A recent ad for Volkswagen which shows a dog having a great time while rising in a VW and a not so good time when he's not. England's Advertising Standards Authority has received 500 complaints about the ad but were told by the ad's creators the dog in the ad was acting. Still, the organization is "very disappointed that Volkswagen feel it necessary to portray a dog suffering to sell cars.

You can argue this one either way. Have at it in the comment section.

by Steve Hall    Apr- 2-08   Click to Comment   
Topic: Commercials, Political   

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Comments



Comments

Everybody knows that acting leads you to cocaine and scientology.

Is it good for such a little pet? I don't think so mister!

Seriously those creepy animal lovers make me laugh so much :D

Posted by: Olivier on April 2, 2008 2:25 PM

Olivier,

Essentially this ad is a funny one. It's just that if you've ever seen a dog that is truly distressed, that is what they look like.
The RSPCA doesn't feel the need to depict animals in this way in order to put their point across, and it is their business to ensure that people are aware that animals are allowed to suffer by certain people.
It's just slightly unneccesary to sell a car in this way. If the dog is acting, it's a different story, but I was unaware that they could be made to act in that sense, so to see it initially I felt it was slightly wrong.

Posted by: Sian on April 4, 2008 5:14 PM