Vodafone pug ad receives notice from Animal Welfare Board

Vodafone and Nirvana Films have received a legal notice from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) which alleged that the firms resorted to cruelty to animals by showing a pug running after a school bus.



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.”



AWBI even alleges that the advertisement is being telecast illegally as the advertisement is found to be objectionable. As per the legal notice the third sequence in the ad film for Vodafone’s Customer Service was found to be objectionable by the Film Screening Committee which had asked for the portion to be deleted.



"Accordingly, you are hereby instructed and informed to delete/remove the above said objectionable portion/sequence forthwith and send the revised VCD for consideration by the Film Screening Committee of the AWBI.,” said AWBI notice.



Nirvana Films who have shot the advertisement claim to have shot the ad in South Africa after procuring a fitness certificate duly signed by the veterinary doctor.

When Milly nipped me, I thought nothing of it... then she died and I heard she had rabies

Two of the three people who were bitten by a rabid dog at a British kennels spoke yesterday about their agonising wait to see if they have the deadly disease.

The mongrel, which had been rescued from Sri Lanka, nipped kennel worker Matthew Brett and charity boss Kim Cooling just a day before it died of the terrifying illness.

Kennel manager Sarah Page was also bitten.

Veterinary experts are now investigating after the puppy, named Milly, died on Friday following a seizure.

They have already destroyed four other dogs at Chingford Mount Kennels in Chingford, Essex.

All the animals were among a batch of 11 brought in to the country by Mrs Cooling's charity Animal SOS.

Yesterday Matthew, 20, of Chingford, said: "I was feeding the pup beef and rice when it nipped me.

"I had put the beef and rice in the bowl and was putting it down on the floor when she sunk her little sharp teeth into my right hand, giving me a nip.

"When you're dealing with puppies you get nipped all the time because they can be very playful.

"Consequently, I didn't think anything more of it until I heard that she had died the following day and they had discovered she had rabies.

"I am trying to stay calm and am now having a course of vaccinations. I won't know for at least two days whether I have the disease because that's how long the blood tests take to come back.

"But obviously I am at risk because I have been in contact with the dog's saliva, although I feel fine at the moment."

Guests will enjoy a ‘howlistic' weekend featuring valuable health and wellness advice from pet nutrition experts, TTouch pet massage therapy, Doga Yog

SAN DIEGO - April 2008 - Discover the latest innovations and devel-opments in holistic pet health and wellness and socialize your pooch at Muttropolis' annual ‘Health, Wellness & Spaw Day' being held at Muttro-polis' La Jolla and Solana Beach locations. Each event will be kicking off the day with Doga Yoga at 9:00 am, where pet parents and furry friendsare encouraged to paw-ticipate in a fun, all-levels appropriate yoga class. For this event, please bring a recommended $10 donation, a Yoga mat or large towel, water, comfortable clothes and a sense of humor! People feet and puppy paws will be bare. Bring dogs that have a social dog park atti-tude.

In Solana Beach, yoga master Stacy McCarthy, will lead the class with her Bernese Mountain Dogs Buddha and Lily with all proceeds directly benefiting local pets from the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Meet the adoptable doggies from Helen Woodward Animal Center who will be ready to go home with new families! Plus, yogis from lululemon athletica's new boutique will be on hand with a health and wellness treat!

See photos from the February Doga Yoga Event: www.muttropolis.com/content/gallery/sb/yoga-sb-08/index.htm

In La Jolla, Prana Yoga instructor Nan Comstock will lead the class at the La Jolla Recreation Center with her yorkie Bella and the event will benefit pet therapy dogs Love on a Leash, The Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy.

At 10 a.m. two-legged companions and their pooches are invited to attend this special day of pampering and doggy fun. The event will feature valu-able health and wellness advice from pet nutrition experts, and calming aromatherapy treatments for dogs and cats. TTouch pet massage thera-pist Kim St. Claire will be providing 10-minutes massages for $10, as well as teaching pet parents how to relax, de-stress and calm their favorite furry friend. She will be available at the La Jolla event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In Solana Beach, she will be on hand from 1-5 p.m.

'Howlistic Health & Spaw Day is our fun take on a subject that near and dear to our hearts - and that is that proper diet, nutrition and care can en-sure that our beloved pets live longer, healthier, happier lives,' noted Janet McCulley, co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer at Muttropolis.
The first 50 attendees will enjoy a free gift with purchase and all paw-ticipants will be eligible for an opportunity raffle. For more information, please call 858-755-DOGS in Solana Beach or 858-459-WOOF in La Jolla or visiting www.muttropolis.com to learn more.

About Muttropolis
Muttropolis is where the dog park and retail come together! Muttropolis does not sell pets, but instead encourages adoption through their many partnerships with local animal welfare organizations. Offering the ultimate in design-driven, yet functional dog and cat supplies, home furnishings, bed-ding, ergonomic raised feeders, travel accessories & gear and all-natural treats, Muttropolis is a utopia for pets and their parents.

The brainchild of dyed-in-the-wool 'pet parents' who share a passionate love for animals, Muttropolis was inspired by their own beloved four-legged companions. Muttropolis was also born from a desire to give something back to the animals that provide such unconditional love and companion-ship- a celebration of sorts of the bond between pets and their parents

Muttropolis is located at 7755 Girard Ave. in the downtown village of La Jolla and at 227 S. Cedros Ave. in the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach. Visit www.muttropolis.com to learn more.