Pop star Katy Perry made an ad for Australian department store Myer while on tour in Australia in which she tells her dog to “go chase some koalas.”
That seems like a strange thing to tell your dog, and really just a strange thing to be in an ad, but it sounds innocent enough, right?
Well, apparently Perry made a massive mistake with that line. Dogs attacking koalas turns out to be a major problem in Australia, and animal rights activists accosted Perry and forced Myer to pull the ad.
“This is just absolute ignorance from Perry and Myer, and inappropriate on so many levels” she said.
“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.”
[…]
She said: “Katy Perry I challenge you to come and spend a day with me (a wildlife vet) and learn first hand why your comment should NOT be streamed across the nation.
“Koalas attacked by dogs is one of their biggest threats and primary reasons for presenting to wildlife hospitals across Australia.
“Come visit me and you will quickly learn how adorable and precious our koalas are and how undeserving your comment is.”
On average, approximately 110 koalas are attacked and killed by dogs each year in Queensland alone.
Who knew this was actually a problem! I’m sure Perry didn’t when she made the joke.
Anyways, don’t have your dog chase koalas. It sounds bad.
