Netflix has removed a controversial dog food advertisement for pet food brand Lyka from its streaming service, following backlash.
The ad, titled The Brutal Pick-Up: A Dog Poo Horror Story, follows a woman taking her pooch for a walk who soon finds herself in a predicament when her furry friend passes a loose bowel movement.
At one point, the woman is seen on her hands and knees desperately trying to clean up the sizeable mess as a stranger jogs by, before she notices an unsightly stain on her arm and lets out a high-pitched scream.
The ad ends with the tagline: ‘Real food makes your dog’s poo less horrific’.
The graphic nature, and stomach-churning content, of the horror spoof proved too much for viewers of the streaming giant, with many calling for it to be banned.
‘Wtf is this ad? I nearly threw up my lunch when I saw it on TV, can we not?’ posted one viewer.
Netflix has removed a controversial dog food advertisement for pet food brand Lyka from its streaming service, following backlash
The ad, titled The Brutal Pick-Up: A Dog Poo Horror Story, follows a woman taking her pooch for a walk who soon finds herself in a predicament when her furry friend passes a loose bowel movement
‘I think this ad should be banned,’ complained another armchair critic.
‘The [poo] was too disgusting and the owner’s scream was too horrific … it made me uncomfortable.’
‘This is one of the most disgusting advertisements I have ever seen on television,’ wrote another.
‘We change the channel as soon as it begins’
However, others appreciated the ad’s sense of humour, and let their feelings be known on Lyka’s Instagram page.
‘This is the greatest ad of all time, ever,’ wrote one fan.
‘Hands down the best advertisement I’ve ever seen,’ another agreed.
Analise Burwood, Lyka’s creative director, has addressed the divisive ad, claiming it was designed to be ‘disruptive’.
‘As a challenger brand, we can’t afford to be quiet,’ she told News Corp.
The graphic nature, and stomach-churning content, of the horror spoof proved too much for viewers of the streaming giant, with many calling for it to be banned
‘To break through lifelong dog food habits, we needed a disruptive idea. What’s the best indicator of a dog’s health? Their poo,’ she continued.
Bad poos are a warning that a dog’s health could be at risk, vet Dr Alexander England told News.
‘Poo is one of the clearest indicators of a dog’s overall health, yet many Australians aren’t noticing the signs,’ Veterinarian Dr Alexander England said.
‘A healthy stool should resemble a log. We are talking firm but pliable, light-to-medium brown, easy to scoop, and minimally odorous.’
