Comments on: Dear Verizon: Could you be more stupid about pit bulls?

By: JenniferJ

JenniferJ — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:33:06 +0000

Even if it is the second time the dog was picked up, and the owner is an idiot, the fact that there is no quarter given to pit bull type dogs in the city is and always has been ridiculous.

The fact that Denver will not even allow dogs to be transported to a pit bull sensible area to be adopted speaks volumes, it’s just kill em all. Every one we can get our hands on.

By: Dutch

Dutch — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:09:55 +0000

While I in no way condone what Denver is contemplating or BSL, I understand this is the second time this dog has gotten out and been picked up by animal control. I still hope with all my heart that Forrest is released to his owner (or some other person that will love and cherish him) and I hope that this time his owner gets the message. Another pit-bull type dog falling victim to human stupidity.

By: JenniferJ

JenniferJ — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:43:01 +0000

Yeah, Verizon could be Denver

This is making my brain hurt this morning. I cannot believe how blood thirsty some of these people are.

http://www.thedenverdailynews......p?aID=1501

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:53:22 +0000

Verizon has confirmed it’s removing this ad in all markets. I’ll update with more info today.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:59 +0000

I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that apology. Verizon LOVES the attention they got, even the negative.

And by the way: “U” is spelled “you,” and “ghetto pigs” is racist.

You’re not doing your dogs any favors with your bigoted, illiterate behavior.

By: Lenny & Suzie the Pit Bull

Lenny & Suzie the Pit Bull — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:11:28 +0000

I am waiting for a public apology on that piece of excrement u call advertising. In conjunction, I expect a LARGE, 6 figure donation to American pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Stafford shire Terrier, & Bull Terrier rescue organizations. I will be waiting, as I am preparing to to take 20 fellow area co-workers Bberry service to ATT and T-mobile. After the Michael Vick story, HOW, in the name of sanity, could u even consider airing this? Are u THAT stupid? There are obviously a few Verizon board members who have a skewed view of the breed. U are no better than the ghetto pigs who maul these great animals in their savage sport, because u have the power and resources to influence public thinking, even as u demonstrate your own lack of the same. My American Staffordshire Terrier is a therapy dog who has visited children’s hospitals to brighten the day of those whose day is not as bright as the rest of ours. Perhaps the slime who came up the ad and the same slime who decided to air it ought to see the look on faces of the kids when I showed up with Suzie every few weeks. Perhaps the same people mentioned should see how she would cower in fear if someone raised their hand to her after what she went through being mistreated before I got her. Perhaps these people should BE FIRED, if for any reason their sheer stupidity

The damage is done, and I will not let it rest till the apology and donation are made. I will give it 30 days, then start switching service for the above mentioned.

Lenny Shiffrin & Suzie
Roslyn, NY

By: slt

slt — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:11:34 +0000

Rec’d an e-mail from the ASPCA Online Community this morning stating that “the offensive ad has been pulled in all markets”.

By: EmilyS

EmilyS — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:28:05 +0000

http://adage.com/article?article_id=129799

You can read what they think about us…
Verizon LOVES this controversy. Is there anyone who thinks they didn’t know the ad would stir things up?

By: EmilyS

EmilyS — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:13:30 +0000

Paula, this line: “it was absolutely not the wireless unit’s intent to reflect a negative image with its advertisement, and I can assure Verizon Wireless meant no purposed slander of American Pit Bull Terriers in its commercial.” was in letters that some others already got. Your correspondent just personalized the company boilerplate because he knows you. But perhaps your letter is indeed “in the right hands” of someone who will actually pull the ad. As of today, people are still seeing it.

By: Paula J.

Paula J. — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:10:48 +0000

I did get a reply different from the one above. Oddly enough, the vp of media relations for the wireline side is someone I knew professionally years ago in Texas. And his wife and I worked together (all of us in p.r.). So it’s a “small world” thing, I suppose.

Here is an excerpt of what I received: “I’m relaying all of them to Brenda Raney, executive director of media relations for Verizon Wireless who is making sure the team that handles marketing and advertising receives input from the public. She’s at brenda.raney@verizonwireless.com. Fortunately, you included her on your original note Paula.
It was absolutely not the wireless unit’s intent to reflect a negative image with its advertisement, and I can assure Verizon Wireless meant no purposed slander of American Pit Bull Terriers in its commercial. Your uplifting notes in terms of future ad ideas, I believe, hit the spot.

I appreciate you taking time to write, and your comments are in the right hands over at Verizon Wireless.”

Now, given that I’ve written my share of these kinds of letters in my professional life, it might be so much b.s. Or not. Only time will tell, I suppose.

Thanks, Christie, for bringing this up.