An online ad for department store Myer has been pulled after just 24 hours after it apparently enraged Queensland animal rights activists.
The ad features US singer Katy Perry promoting her 2018 Australian tour with the chance for Myer customers to win tickets to the upcoming shows.
Perry appears in the ad with a little brown poodle called “Nugget” and towards the end of the spot Perry encourages the dog to “let’s go chase some koalas”.
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Check out the ad below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXCHBhzlAYA
The ad quickly caught the attention of animal activists in Queensland and their subsequent rage was picked up by The Courier Mail, forcing Myer chiefs to act.
A Myer spokesperson telling the newspaper: “We are aware of comments in relation to Katy Perry’s Witness: The Tour advertisement and a particular reference made to koalas. We are currently removing the material which references koalas.”
However, it’s unclear exactly how many people were left fuming by the ad which, in its defence, is more lame humour than an incitement to set dogs on to native Australian wildlife.
The Courier Mail does quote Queensland wildlife vet Claire Madden who says she was “sickened” by the Perry spot “and challenged the singer to come and see the koalas she treats every day who are horrifically injured in dog attacks”.
Madden added: “Perry is a role model to so many young people, and this just destroys all the good work we do to try to encourage people not to let their dogs come into contact with koalas.
“Koalas attacked by dogs is one of their biggest threats and primary reasons for presenting to wildlife hospitals across Australia,” she said.
