Super Bowl Ad Has Local Dog Advocates Steaming
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A Skechers ad that is set to run on Super Bowl Sunday has drawn the ire of a national greyhound dog advocacy group, with local members asking consumers to protest the shoe company until the ad is pulled.
The ad in question features a French Bulldog named Mr. Quiggly, who is about to race a group of greyhounds.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
Ashley Westfall has adopted two former greyhound racers and volunteers with the advocacy group Grey2kUSA, which is calling for the boycott.
"They paint it as a humorous ad. But there's nothing funny about greyhound racing," she said. "There's nothing funny about cruelty to animals."
Westfall was one of the volunteers passing out flyers in front of the Skechers Union Square store this weekend.
She said it was especially disappointing that the ad was shot at Tucson Greyhound Park, which is notorious for being one of the worst tracks in the country, with 300 documented injuries to dogs between 2007 and 2009.
"They live in cages that are barely big enough for them to stand up and turn around in," said Westfall. "They're fed 4-D meat, which is the meat of downed and diseased animals. It's not fit for consumption."
Skechers said no animals were mistreated in the advertisement and the company would never support cruelty to animals in any way.
Union Square store employees passed out Mr. Quiggly buttons while the greyhound advocates were there.
Westfall said nationwide, 115,000 people have signed a petition promising not to buy Skechers products until the ad is pulled.
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