Re: Verizon Steps in It

I've seen it. Not only does it perpetuate a negative stereotype of pit bulls, it also seems to endorse the chaining of dogs. I'm not a Verizon customer. Certainly wouldn't even consider it after seeing this.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

This ad should be taken off the air. Shame on Verizon! Pit Bulls are given a bad reputation without Verizon adding to it.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I saw the commercial and was surprised that Verizon would be that insensitive to a breed that gets more than enough bad press. I thnk the commercial is neither funny nor cute, and I'm glad to read that the phone company has received complaints about it.

This is a commercial another phone company made last year -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCkQgwNOFg0

I hope Verizon re-thinks its airing of their commercial.

Glory and the Greyhounds -
Ghana, Bunny, Garbo & Bryn

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I am really affended by this commercial..and I am a verizon customer and I'm not very proud to be anymore. Im sure it wasn't ment to be affensive but it was, especially to me. My family has a pitbull, her name is precious! She is one of the best dogs we've ever had and wrongful accusations about every single pitbull alive is a killer really hurts me. I hope soon this commercial goes off air, ive seen it to much

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I have not seen this commercial but just from reading about it I am peeved. Thanks for nothing Verizon for stereotyping Pit Bulls negatively like they NEED anymore bad press! We fight to educate people on the breed, we fight against BSL so we can choose our companions without legalities, we fight to stop the prejudice against bully breeds and Verizon goes and tries to undo all our hard work!!! Shame on you!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I think the ad is very offensive and I am very surpirsed PETA hans't stpped in to stop it.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I work 2nd shift and got home and let my girls out for pooty break in the front yard. I seen this lady come around the corner and I got the girls inthe house and went out to talk to her and she is a member of Spray and neuter. Just like me,she had a pit bull who she had adopted from a owner who couldn't have it. The pit bull was very very friendly. If u didn't know it was a pit you would be amaze. Very well behave. So once again the dog gets streotype for something that us humans has caused. PETA should tell all advertising that if u have a animals in acommercial we need to see it first before u put it on tv

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Those dogs are chained on hot cement with no visible m eans of shade.
It is a horrible commercial. I was thinking of changing my cell phone carrier,
but after seeing this.....HELL NO!!!!! Verizon should be ashamed of themselves.
Sorry, dear dogs......some humans are cruel people.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

This ad should be taken off. I emailed Verizon about it's poor taste in ads. Like most big companies this will go in one ear and out the other. Anything to sell a product.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

My friend has a pitbull named Macho and he is very loving and friendly!!! I think this ad is horrible and should be taken off the air...Its because of people like that that pits have a bad name. When they could be loving dogs its just that theres people like Micheal Vick that show them to be fighters and mean!!! Shame on them!!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I've seen it and am very offended. Verizon has chosen to perpetuate the sterotypes. I find this to be an outrage and very irresponsible!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I haven't seen the ad, but from the description I don't want to. Pit Bulls are a very loving and gentle breed unless taught to be otherwise, they don't need any more negative press. I not only want this commercial banned, but think Verizon should give a public apology.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I have gone to http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/Support/ContactUs/ and filed a complaint. I urge others to do so as well.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I totally agree with shadowmum. What were those people thinking? Oh, that`s their problem, they were not thinking!!!!! At least not with their brains!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Shame on Verizon! Chaining of any dog is cruel and repulsive. Not only should we complain to Verizon, but also to the advertising agency that they use.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

In light of the Michael Vick scandal and all the negative publicity surrounding it, I'm surprised at this move from Verizon. I feel they're being socially irresponsible in their presetation of themselves and their product. Thank you, Critter Refuge, for the website address where I can also submit my complaint.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I have seen the commercial, and it's every bit as offensive as described by all of you. I hope enough people complain, so it is yanked. While I don't have a pit bull, my sister raised a Staffordshire Terrier from 8 weeks of age. Chase was the sweetest and most loving dog. She, in no way, resembled the image portrayed in that commercial. Verizon should be ashamed.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I was truly appalled. After the Michael Vick case, you would think that a large company like Verizon would know better. I guess not. So much for sensitivity!!! I certainly hope that they will remove this horrendous advertising blunder & apologize to their customers for their mistake. We can only dream!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I can't believe the ad execs @ Verizon didn't see this coming. I just hope pet lovers will ban together and send them a message, via changing services, don't knock a great animal that's gotten a bad rap.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

what part of the country is this ad targeting, I live in the ny metro area and I haven't seen it.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

just what the pit bulls need- another bad rep... it's sad. Hopefully things will change,

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Ever wondered why there is a STEREOTYPE associated with Pit Bulls? Seriously......

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I wrote them the below email. BTW: The link posted below gets you to their Media group which I think is a good place to start with our complaints.
https://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/contact/email.jsp

I am completely disgusted with Verizon's recent advertisement showing 2 chained Pit Bulls. Pitbulls have received enough bad press from the media who blame every single dog attack on a Pit Bull. It is time stop all the unfair mischaracterizations of this breed. This only leads to more misunderstanding and fear of this breed. If you actually read bite statistics, there are many breeds responsible for MANY, MANY more bites than Pit Bulls. And on top of that, it shows 2 poor dogs LIVING THEIR LIVES ON CHAINS and with no visible food or shelter. What kind of message do you think you are sending? That it is alright to leave an animal chained up for its entire life? This is the reason we have so many dog attack cases each year. Chaining causes aggression and thank god, it is AGAINST THE LAW in many areas now.
I'm glad that I cancelled my Verizon account. I would hate to think my money would have helped to pay for that insensitive piece of garbage.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Unbelievable. The links to Verizon are appreciated and I am definately complaining. This is nothing that hasn't already been said already in this blog, but they should no better! It is NOT funny in the least, or creative, or clever, and is only a cruel perpetuation of a steretype, and portraying how to NOT take care of animals! Ridiculous.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Thanks Bett137 for the info!!
I will send them an e-mail as well. If they get enough complaints, they will probably get the ad off the air.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I don't have Verizon but they are supposed to be merging with my cell co. I hope after reading these comments that the merger doesn't go through now.
I cannot believe that an advertising agency could be so insensitive and that Verizon executives would OK this.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO VOICE YOUR OPINIONS LIKE I DID, YOU CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO:
Eric Rabe
Vice President, Media Relations
(908) 559-3500
eric.rabe@verizon.com
All subjects

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I have been a customer of Verizon ever since I've had a cell phone, but I swear to Christ, if they do not pull this ad, I am switching to another company ASAP!!

What complete idiots!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Oh, I know - dont even get me started on that commercial! The very first time I seen it - I thought it was horrible. We are already trying to fight against dogs living in yards on chains their whole lives, we dont need this commercial at all. The next time I seen it come on - I had to turn the channel. I am glad everyone is speaking up about this especially the animal rights groups! What the heck was Verizon thinking when they made this commercial - they are idiots! Thanks to the previous member for giving out the Vice President, Media Relations phone number at Verizon - I will definitely send him a message speaking my mind. I am glad I am not a member of Verizon!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Oh great! I can't believe Verizon promoted a chained dog!
Just this past week I rescued a neglected dog in a pen on a chaind without water, food or proper shelter.
How!! The Extreme Leash Law is in effect in my area. Dogs can't be on a leash for more than an hour and cannot be out in extreme elements of heat, thunderstorm etc.
I highly suggest getting this law in your city too. It worked for the neglected animals. Now he has a chance to have the great life he deserves.
Verizon pull your ad!
Also please visit the petition against a horrible abuse at http://thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-the-cat-cutters please

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Verizon has definitely lost me as a customer. I have been with them for quite a while but I am dropping them. I have a pit bull that I rescued and that little girl is the sweetest most gentle creature, even though she was abused she still has all the love in her heart to give to everyone she meets. These people are truly doing these dogs a disservice and I am letting them know my opinion as well.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

It is a Horrible commercial, the poor little dogs! I just hope they didn't injure their necks during the making of the commercial.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I haven't seen the commercial but I'm DEFINITELY NOT HAPPY to hear about it. My husband and I own a pitbull and she is a fantastic lil' girl! And, unfortunately, we're Verizon customers. I plan on cancelling our contract ASAP due to this incident and "bleep" you, Verizon! As if our precious little pitties don't have a bad enough reputation as it is... :-(

Re: Verizon Steps in It

The first time I saw it, I was very offended and I'm surprise to see it as often is I have. I have 3 bully breeds and they are the best dogs I've ever had. Pitbull owners have plenty to worry about because our dogs have such a bad rep and most people misunderstand the breed. Why add more fuel to the situation?????

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I've seen this commercial & it pissed me off from the start! This is how our dog breeds get bad reputations not to mention its saying that its ok to put animals on chains. I'm an Altell customer & recently Altell got bought out by Verizon but as soon as my contract is up with Altell I'm finding a new carrier because I refuse to have such a pompous, ignorant cell provider!!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Yes, saw and sent letters to quite a few people at Verizon asking that they pull the ad

Re: Verizon Steps in It

this commercial is bad news! shame on verizon! just gives more negativity to pits!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Thank God that I am not a Verizon customer. We had a beutiful pit and lost him to cancer in April. This commercial deeply offended me plus it gives pits an even more negative reputation. Our pit was nothing like the dogs in the commercial, he was a baby, loved to be on someone's lap, slept with our son and was a beautiful dog. I still miss him very much and when I saw the commercial, it made me furious and sad at the same time. VERIZON -- get it together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I think this ad should be taken off the air. Pits are always getting a bad rap. It's not the dog it's the owner who trains them. Terrier breeds are very smart due to the eye contact they use. Give them a break

Re: Verizon Steps in It

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/make-verizon-accountable

Just what we need: another exploitation of an already misunderstood breed that is simply a victim of the media and bad people who take advantage of a loyal breed that will do anything to please people, regardless of what they are asked to do. The above is another petition site that I signed yesterday.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I have two APBT's, and they are my babies. When I first saw this commercial, I was like - Wow, those are some good-looking dogs - minus the cropped ears. I don't think any pits should be cropped because it does perpetuate the stereotype that they're vicious creatures. Of course, once it showed them trying to attack the guy, I was pretty ticked. My dogs would never do that to a person! Everyone on this blog has basically said everything that I feel about this commercial. This doesn't help my family at all, and I will be letting Verizon know. I received an email from CREDO, an organization that tries to do good by letting their members know which companies share the same kinds of human values as they do - instead of merely being corporate machines. CREDO offers mobile services, and they are advertising that they will buy out your cell phone contract (up to $200.00) if you switch to their service. I don't know how good the service would be as I have not heard of it before this, but I do know that 1% of charges are donated to a "progressive, non-profit group." That sounds good to me. I'm a Verizon customer as of now, but I'll probably be taking CREDO up on their offer. Website for details below:

http://www.credomobile.com/?event=showSpecialOfferHome&pageID=301

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I forgot to add that I don't give a crap what PETA thinks about anything as they (directly from their website): "PETA supports legislation that bans the breeding of pit bulls, just as we support any spay/neuter legislation as the most effective way to combat the tragic companion animal overpopulation problem. We also support pit bull bans, as long as they include a grandfather clause allowing all living dogs who are already in good homes and well cared for to live the remainder of their lives safely and peacefully." Ridiculous!! So, if both my pits pass away, and I want to adopt another animal, I shouldn't have the option of adopting another pity. Preposterous!! I used to think PETA was an okay organization, but after I heard their stance on pits, I stopped thinking that, and I can't reiterate enough that their opinion means nothing to me.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I received a reply from Verizon:

Good day, my name is Darrell and I have received your request regarding
comment on a commercial.

Ms. Juilfs, thank you for your comments.

We value your feedback and appreciate your taking the time to share it
with us. We regret that you found our commercial disturbing or
distasteful in any way. It was certainly not our intent to reflect a negative
image with our advertisement.

We will quickly forward your concern to our Marketing Department for
review and we apologize for any inconvenience.

I'm glad I was able to assist you with this, and hope that you have a
great day!

We appreciate your business. Please contact us at our website for any
of your future needs. Again, thank you for using Verizon Wireless
products and services.

Sincerely,

Darrell
Verizon Wireless
Customer Service

Re: Verizon Steps in It

i never seen the ad , but i do knowits not the dog its the people .that does'nt look good on the dog.SHAME ON YOU VERIZON

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I send an email to Verizon and gave them a piece of my mind, of course I was polite but got my point across. The ad is horrible, I'm not a customer but I hope they take off the ad.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I sent an e-mail aswell and I got a reply today saying they will forward my mail to the marketing dept.
I hope they do take this ad off the air.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I'M A NATURE AND ANIMAL ACTIVIST..BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS..IT'S A COMMERCIAL!!!...VERIZON DIDN'T GIVE PITBULLS A BAD NAME..THEY'VE HAD A BAD NAME FOR YEARS BECAUSE OF IGNORANT PEOPLE..YOU PEOPLE ARE READING TOO MUCH INTO A COMMERCIAL..AND NO PETA SHOULDN'T STEP IN BECAUSE THEY OVERDUE THE WHOLE PROTECTION/LOVING ANIMALS THING..I PERSONALLY THINK SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY REALLY LOVE ANIMALS AND TRY AND "CREATE" A FAMILY WITH THEM JUST LIKE HOW SOUTH PARK MADE FUN OF THEM...I AGREE THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE THIS COMMERCIAL BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE SAYING THEY'E SUPPORTERS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY AND DOG FIGHTS..PEOPLE NEED TO RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Yes, it is just a commercial, but it doesn't shed a good light on a breed of animals that already have enough of a bad reputation. I don't think it's too much for those of us that feel offended to contact the company because there are states in which pits are banned and people that say that all of them should be put down. This commercial shows them being vicious, and these people that are prejudice against the breed say: "See, that's why no one should own a pit." It makes sense to stand up and take action if something or a company is putting negative connotations on something of which you are proud.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

For those who haven't seen the ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7hiUrTy6vU

No shelter, chained dogs, more bad press for pit bulls... Verizon should be ashamed! Who came up with this idea? Michael Vick? As far as I can see, they only did one positive thing in this ad: They gave the dogs water bowls. Other than that...

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL FROM PETA ASKING US TO SIGN A PETITION (WHICH I ALREADY DID).

GOT TO WWW.PETA.ORG TO SIGN THE PETITION OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE WEBSITE AT:

http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/verizon_dogs

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I emailed Verizon and also signed the ASPCA petition that eyesofhopeshelter had posted above and received an email this morning saying that they received over 5000 signatures and

THE AD HAS BEEN PULLED.

:)

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I am fortunate enough to live in the same city as a awsome Vet who is very active in the Anti-BSL campagin. She has been is contact with the head of Media Relations, and another higher up by the name of Polly something. We actually participated in a small, but effective peaceful protest demonstration outside of a local Verizon Retail store in Orange County.
Please do not stop emailing and calling Verizon, they have NOT pulled the ad. They are trying to be vague and misleading about it by stating the ad is not scheduled to air, but that does not mean in anyway shape or form that the ad was pulled. It only means that they do not have any scheduled airings in the next week or so. The commercial aired on Saturday night on ESPN.
The fact that Verizon is trying to mislead the public in this situation serves only to aggrivate the situation. I do not understand why they cannot just pull the commercial and release a statement of apology.
Let Verizon know how you feel!!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

That stinks.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I sent my comment to the media dept. I hope everyone else does as well - protest will get this tasteless exploitation of abused animals off the air!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

We were planning to switch to Verizon when our contract runs out in August. After seeing this disgusting ad we are shopping for another carrier. Who owns Verizon, what about the stockholders, don't they have any clout to make some sicko executive and cohorts cancel the ad. "Dogs Deserve Better" is a group that successfully campaigns against chaining dogs and some states have now passed laws. More will follow. What is Verizon thinking? Take the thing off and sub with a little pack of Chihuahuas, lose and not on a chain, but too short to get the phone and people will remember it positively.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Verizon (the phone company who let the bush administration look into everyone's phone records without warrants, along with AT&T) now has this black mark against it. If you really want to sign up to a phone company who cares, go to credomobile.com and they give part of their profits to various animal and environmental organizations who actually care about animals. I jjust dropped AT&T and switched to them. They bought out my contract and I got a free phone. They are the best company to do business with and have the friendliest people to deal with.
Verizon cares only about profits and breaking the law. And that annoying guy with the glasses is reason enough to drop them.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Verizon (the phone company who let the bush administration look into everyone's phone records without warrants, along with AT&T) now has this black mark against it. If you really want to sign up to a phone company who cares, go to credomobile.com and they give part of their profits to various animal and environmental organizations who actually care about animals. I jjust dropped AT&T and switched to them. They bought out my contract and I got a free phone. They are the best company to do business with and have the friendliest people to deal with.
Verizon cares only about profits and breaking the law. And that annoying guy with the glasses is reason enough to drop them.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Verizon (the phone company who let the bush administration look into everyone's phone records without warrants, along with AT&T) now has this black mark against it. If you really want to sign up to a phone company who cares, go to credomobile.com and they give part of their profits to various animal and environmental organizations who actually care about animals. I jjust dropped AT&T and switched to them. They bought out my contract and I got a free phone. They are the best company to do business with and have the friendliest people to deal with.
Verizon cares only about profits and breaking the law. And that annoying guy with the glasses is reason enough to drop them.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Verizon (the phone company who let the bush administration look into everyone's phone records without warrants, along with AT&T) now has this black mark against it. If you really want to sign up to a phone company who cares, go to credomobile.com and they give part of their profits to various animal and environmental organizations who actually care about animals. I jjust dropped AT&T and switched to them. They bought out my contract and I got a free phone. They are the best company to do business with and have the friendliest people to deal with.
Verizon cares only about profits and breaking the law. And that annoying guy with the glasses is reason enough to drop them.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

This is the email that came -

I have just spoken with Steve Schwartzman, Executive Coordinator, who told me that the offensive ad has been pulled in all markets. Thank you to all who signed this petition and made the calls! Mr. Schwartzman was very understanding of our feelings, and admitted that they have received quite a bit of heat over this commercial.
Each and every one of you made the difference.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Renee Brace and the ASPCA Online Community
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't seen it here since but it's disturbing to know it may still be out there.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

This is hardly the first big corporation that has done something truly stupid involving animals in one of their commercials. A few years ago, I watched in amazement as A&E ran a Toyota commercial in which (I kid you not!) a pack of wolves were "menacing" a hiker in the forest, and a child in a passing Toyota SUV threw the hiker a bag of doggie biscuits!

Talk about perpetuating a negative stereotype! The stereotypical view most people have of wolves is not only highly negative, but is also COMPLETELY wrong, and it has been quite harmful to this particularly important (keystone, in fact!) species since European settlers first arrived on the shores of North America. The plain and simple fact is that there has NEVER been a single documented instance of a healthy wolf (or wolves, for that matter) attacking a human being in all of North America's recorded history! It just does NOT happen! Wolves are every bit as smart as the smartest of dogs, if not even more so for still having to fend for themselves, and they are taught by their pack from a very early age to stay well clear of human beings.

The only proven (as in "documented") wolf attacks in North American history were cases of elderly, sick or crippled lone wolves attacking out of sheer desperation and hunger. There has never been a SINGLE pack attack against a human being; no matter how hungry wolves might get, they will ALWAYS steer well clear of people and their habitations.

I informed both A&E and Toyota that my family, friends and I would boycott them until such time as the commercial was withrdawn and a retraction published, but so far they have done nothing of the sort. We, my family and I, had been loyal Toyota customers ever since we bought the very first 5-door (station wagon) Land Cruiser ever sold in the Ottawa (Ontario) area, way back in the Winter of 1970/71, and we've owned several Toyotas since then; now, however, we will never buy another Toyota product again, unless and until Toyota apologises for perpetuating such a negative stereotype about wolves. No one in my family watches A&E anymore, either.

The wolf is a major and important player in keeping deer, moose, elk and caribou herds healthy and disease-free, and are a keystone species indicating the health (or lack thereof) of many wilderness ecosystems. No wolves around means that something is VERY wrong, very much out of balance, and that people (and their false ideas and beliefs about wolves) are probably to blame.

Give the wolf a break, already...it did NOT "eat Grandma and put on her nightgown to fool Little Red Riding Hood"...that's just a fairy tale, for crying out loud! Put the fairy tales aside, and learn to love and respect the wolf for who and what it REALLY is...a VERY important indicator of how well our wilderness is doing!

Re: Verizon Steps in It

Concerning the wolves, I am so glad that the Bush administration's attack on them has been halted for the mean time. I hope that NRDC and Earthjustice and other groups can get them put pack on the Endangered Species list. It's ridiculous the way that people disregard (and plan to kill) anything that doesn't specifically serve them. These animals were put here for a specific reason - to be predators of natural prey of this habitat, and it was not to make ranchers mad. These ranchers chose the plots on which to start their ranches. They were fully aware of the risks that would be taken if a location that was frequented by wolves was picked.
I don't recall ever seeing this commercial, but from the description, it does seem that it perpetuates a stereotype that is meant to invoke fear. There's enough fear and suffering in this world.

Re: Verizon Steps in It

I'm glad that people protested it.
Yeh, a very bad portrait of the pit again.
don't blame anyone for being mad.
A couple of years ago two mixed dogs attacked and killed a child.
And they put a German Shepherd on their station with it's teeth open and drooling.
I got on the site and boy did I complain. They stopped but just what I need, I have gentle nice dogs that I spent hours training, heck years training. And it when people do that, advertize falsely people think all dogs have that capacitiy to rip you apart.
You tube said it has been pulled, good. I have seen a woman out on a ledge or something.