VOLKSWAGEN DEFENDS “SINGING DOG” COMMERCIAL
Posted 29th March, 2008 in Volkswagen | 4 Comments
The RSPCA is investigating Volkswagen’s ‘Singing Dog’ Polo commercial after almost 300 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) suggesting that the dog appears to have been mistreated. The ASA has stated that the commercial does not breach any of its rules.
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “We have asked how it was filmed and have been told the dog was acting. But we are very disappointed that Volkswagen feel it necessary to portray a dog suffering to sell cars, whether it was genuine or staged.”
Volkswagen received around 60 complaints, but has no plans to withdraw the commercial. “The dogs are highly trained. They can do almost anything. They can shake if they are happy or excited - they were not scared,” a spokeswoman said.
“There is a fantasy element to the advert. We would hope that just as when people see the dog singing, they know it’s not real, when they see it shaking, they know it is not really scared.”
[Source: Telegraph]
1. 29th March, 2008 at 12:17 by Phat Tony
No way did VW torture a dog for the commercial. Any animal can be trained to do anything.
2. 29th March, 2008 at 14:52 by pookey & puss
You only have to look at talent shows on TV, there’s always someone with some type of dancing dog on there.
3. 3rd April, 2008 at 10:03 by Rich
Hi, you recently posted a ‘behind the scenes’ video of the ad, but the link and story has now gone. Could you point me in the right direction to find it?
Rich
Newsletter Editor, VW Polo Register - the UK’s longest-running and orginal organisation for Volkswagen Polos: http://www.vwpolo.co.uk
4. 3rd April, 2008 at 10:13 by Warren M
Hi Rich,
It had been unofficially leaked onto YouTube. The production company asked us to remove it. We’ve been promised a full-length version - once Volkswagen has approved it.
When we get it, we’ll post it.
Thanks,
Warren.