After PETA learned about Verizon's commercial featuring two aggressive, chained pit bulls, we immediately contacted the company to request that it pull the advertisement. Verizon has denied our request and refused to meet with us to discuss the issue.
Pit bulls are the most abused of all dogs, and commercials like this one send the message that it is acceptable to chain dogs, deprive them of their basic needs, and use them as cheap burglar alarms. Every day, PETA staff members see neglected and abused dogs in our cruelty-to-animals investigations, and many of them are chained and neglected pit bulls whose ears have been sharply cut back—just like the dogs in the Verizon commercial. According to animal behaviorists, chained dogs often become agitated, frustrated, and aggressively protective of their tiny territories. When chained dogs break free, children and passersby often become the victims of the dogs' aggression. As a result of attacks by chained dogs, many jurisdictions across the country are banning or restricting the chaining of dogs.
Please take a moment to use this form to send an e-mail to Verizon executives urging them to pull the commercial immediately.
Please also forward this message to your friends, family members, and coworkers. Thank you for everything that you do to help animals.
For all animals,
Kristie Phelps
Assistant Director
Animals in Entertainment Campaign
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Letter to Verizon officials [Mr. Ivan Seidenberg and Ms. Brenda Raney ]:
Your new ad featuring pit bulls in a junkyard sends the message that it is acceptable to chain dogs and use them as cheap burglar alarms. There is no excuse for encouraging that kind of animal mistreatment. Please try taking a ride with your local humane society or animal-control unit to see what you are promoting.
Please remove your LG Dare commercial from rotation immediately. Until I hear from PETA that you've done this, I will be sharing this information with everyone I know.
