Vodafone India Tv Advert Attacked over Animal Welfare
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a formal warning to Vodafone India regarding an advertisement which features a pug dog running after a bus. The board also sent a warning to Nirvana Films which made the advert for Vodafone.
In its notice AWBI said: “The pet dog was made to run, gallop and chase the school van for a long time on a public road. Thereby, the dog was made to undergo severe pain and suffering due to the exhaustion caused by chasing (the bus).” AWBI lawyer S.R. Sundaram said: “The final film should strictly follow the script submitted at the time of pre-shoot permission for the animal performances. It is also directed that the performing animals should not be subjected to any cruelty, failing which the AWBI will initiate legal proceedings under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.”
The pug dog, called Rocky is the Vodafone Essar brand icon and has been used in a series of adverts promoting the rebranding of Hutch as Vodafone.
The film company refutes the complaint saying that the film was made in South Africa and that they have a “post-shoot fitness certificate duly signed by the veterinary doctor”
The AWBI has ordered the company to remove the section of the advert that it objects to and resubmit the advertisement for approval.
The advert has already been uploaded to YouTube
Posted to the site on 1st May 2008
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