Top U.S. Ad Agency Lends a Paw to Suffering Breeds

Wagnificent news! After learning from PETA that bulldogs, pugs, and other breathing-impaired breeds (BIB) chronically suffer from an array of physical disabilities due to their purposely flattened, pushed-in snouts, Hill Holliday—one of the largest ad agencies in the U.S.—has committed to not featuring these breeds in its ads.

By leaving flat-faced dog breeds out of its advertising materials, the ad giant joins other major agencies—including Wieden+Kennedy, Wunderman Thompson, Ogilvy, Leo Burnett Chicago, the Ad Council, RPA, and SandersWingo—that have recognized the impact that marketing has on consumers.

To thank Hill Holliday for its compassionate decision, PETA is sending the company a box of delicious paw-shaped vegan chocolates.

Promoting Flat-Faced Dog Breeds Is Flat-Out Cruel

Breathing-impaired breeds face a multitude of health problems due to their deliberately distorted and restricted airways, which shorten their lives and cause them to pant, snort, wheeze, and struggle to breathe—all to achieve a particular look. Using pugs, bulldogs, and other flat-faced dog breeds in advertisements drives the demand for dogs purposely bred to have life-threatening deformities.

Breeding these dogs—or any dog—also exacerbates the homeless-animal crisis. There are around 70 million homeless companion animals in the U.S. at any given time. In Norway, restrictions have been imposed on breeding flat-faced dogs, and the Netherlands, which has also banned the breeding of certain breathing-impaired breeds, is considering prohibiting ownership of these animals and their use in advertising. As more companies speak up for suffering breeds, PETA is putting pressure on other institutions to follow suit.

What You Can Do to Help Breathing-Impaired Breeds: Urge UGA to Stop Bullying Dogs

The University of Georgia (UGA) continues to prop up the cruel dog-breeding industry by using live bulldogs as its mascot. The university forces bulldogs—who struggle to breathe even during light exercise—to “perform” at live sporting events in front of screaming fans, which is likely terrifying and stressful for these sensitive animals.

Most universities and professional sports teams now use costumed human mascots, who can willingly engage with fans, pose for pictures, lead cheers, and pump up a crowd.

Please urge UGA officials to replace the school’s live bulldog mascot with a willing human one: