PETA Not Monkeying Around When It Comes to Dodge Ad

Dodge may have gone bananas with a recent television commercial, and it’s got PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) a-peeling to the automotive company’s better sense to pull the ad. But will Dodge swing into action? (Ok, we are done with the monkey jokes – we just couldn’t help ourselves).

The ad in question promotes Dodge’s “Tent Event” deals on the 2010 Charger, Journey and Grand Caravan. It stars a monotone narrator who plugs the deal and says that the “event could not be more amazing.” He’s upstaged by a chimpanzee that depresses the bar on a detonator, followed by a confetti explosion. PETA didn’t think it was amazing at all.

According to the group, when primates are chosen to become animal actors, they are routinely separated from their mothers prematurely. Furthermore, PETA claims that animals in the entertainment industry are beaten while in training and are generally sold to “seedy roadside zoos” when they are too large or old.

The ad was an innocent act only trying to be humorous,” Kristin Starnes, head of Dodge brand communications told The Los Angeles Times. “In no way did the brand intend to promote any questionable practices.”

Chrysler has decided to edit the ad, thanks to several complaints from animal activists and PETA. They had also planned a print campaign featuring the chimp, but has canceled it for the time being.

“PETA applauds Dodge’s decision to distance itself from cruelty to apes that are used and abused in entertainment,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Public attitudes about animals are changing for the better, so steering clear of ads that exploit animals is good for business too.”

[Source: Internet Autoguide]