There are certain words and phrases that we automatically understand the meaning of, even if they’re not, strictly speaking, grammatically correct. Take ice cream flavors, for example. While ‘chocolate ice cream’ is chocolate-flavored, ‘doggy ice cream’ is designed to be consumed by our four-legged friends, not taste like them. Fish food is for fish, cat food is for cats, but we don’t do our weekly shop under a big sign that says ‘human food.’ With this in mind, many people didn’t bat an eye when they passed a stall in the crowded market area of Bristol in the UK that was proudly selling ‘free range, organic dog meat’. However, those who ventured closer to see what sort of cuts were on offer were in for a shock. Instead of seeing sides of beef, pork sausages, or chicken wings, Elwood’s Organic Dog Meat listed delicacies like Labrador steaks, Pug bacon, Corgi Legs, and even whole Chihuahuas – all humanely slaughtered, of course!

Naturally, the response was fast and furious, with townspeople clambering over each other to give these barking mad butchers a piece of their mind, which is exactly what the Elwood’s team were counting on.

A Fast, Furious, and Fitting Reaction

The people behind Elwood’s Organic Dog Meat have never, and will never, lay a hand on any dog, unless it is to give them a well-deserved pat or belly rub. Far from being growers and slaughterers of farm fresh canine cuisine, they are a group on a mission to reduce or remove meat – all meat – from our tables. They are harnessing the knee-jerk reaction of horror and anger when people believe that dogs are on the menu to point out the hypocrisy inherent in the meat industry and the double standard that most people so easily apply to which animals are, and are not, suitable for human consumption.

When you visit their website, you will see that the dog meat subterfuge persists, with layers of information about how their animals are lovingly raised before slaughter, and the interesting process of milking Golden Retrievers. All is soon revealed, as we are gently introduced to the real message: that all animals should stay off our plates, not just the ones we like.

As their shock tactics suggest, these vegans are not without humor, and their message is not as militant as some. Of course, a vegan diet and lifestyle is their ultimate goal, but there are plenty of ideas and suggestions given for reducing our consumption of meat and animal products, recognizing that an all-or-nothing approach is far more alienating than one of gradual change and compromise. The reader is guided towards Elwood’s message, without feeling preached to, which is where many other animal welfare and vegan organizations go wrong.

Comfortable in the knowledge that Elwood’s are not really in the practice of making dog meat, there is now the small issue of some cat-flavored meat pies to address.

Who’s Putting Pussies in Pies?

If you live down under, you’ll know that there’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a hot meat pie, and for those living in New Zealand, one of the best spots to do just that is Muzza’s Pies in Auckland, on the country’s North Island. There were plenty of tongues and tails wagging when this popular purveyor of pastries revealed their latest creation: Muzza’s Cat-Flavored Dog Pies. The savory snacks have been designed with canine taste buds in mind and are served from a mini stall outside the original Muzza’s Pie Shop.

These pies aren’t just about treating dogs to a tasty snack; they’re also raising money for a good cause, with 10% of every Dog Pie sold donated to Chained Dog Rehabilitation & Rehoming, a local shelter dedicated to canine welfare.

As expected, the backlash and controversy were quick to follow, despite the fact that this exciting new flavor is 100% comedy, 0% cat. Some were quick to criticise Muzza’s controversial marketing ploy, accusing the humble piemaker of trivializing dog-on-cat aggression and encouraging violence towards cats, but even The Cat Haven Rescue appreciates the humor.

The cat-flavored pies are actually made from a unique blend of rabbit and fish that is apparently considered an epicurean equivalent of feline flavor, though how this was determined is unclear!

Owner of Muzza’s Pies, John Williams, says:

These cheeky cat-less pastries do raise a similar question about the double standard towards animals that are and are not considered appropriate pie fillings. Perhaps we do need to take a closer look at why some animals are seen as meat, while the thought of cats or dogs on the menu triggers such an emotional reaction?

Clever or Crass?

They say that “all publicity is good publicity,” and getting your product or message to stand out from the crowd and stick in people’s minds is no easy task. Shock tactics, like pretending to cook cats into your signature dish or serving up cuts of canine flesh, will certainly get people talking, but you do run the risk of upsetting those who fail to see the humor in such controversial topics. But when the choice is between appealing to your target audience or offending a humorless few, a memorable campaign trumps a forgettable one, as long as no cats or dogs are harmed in the process, of course!

Did You Know?