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View Full Version : MUTTS banned from TV ads!

NJFFSA16
11-08-2002, 09:38 AM
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Ethics Commission
ruled two state-owned bloodhounds, as public servants, cannot serve
as pitchdogs in television ads for dog food.
Buckeye Feed Mills Inc. of Dalton, Ohio, provides free food for
the Division of Forestry's bloodhounds. But the commission ruled
Thursday that allowing the dogs to appear in the company's ads
would violate the state Ethics Act, which bars public servants from
using their public positions for their own private financial gain
or the gain of others.
In this case, the dogs' public office would be used for the
company's private gain, the commission said.
"The commission has previously held that commercial endorsement
of private sector products or services by governmental agencies is
acceptable only when it is a part of a program which results in
overriding public benefit," the commission's opinion said. "That
is not the case here."
Forestry officials had wanted the dogs to appear in the ads to
promote public awareness of the agency's bloodhound program. The
dogs are used in investigations of arson-related forest fires.
The commission's opinions are nonbindng, but Division of
Forestry spokesman Steve Young said the agency would abide by
Thursday's decision.
Steamer
11-09-2002, 09:34 AM
allowing the dogs to appear in the company's ads
would violate the state Ethics Act, which bars public servants from
using their public positions for their own private financial gain
or the gain of others.
In this case, the dogs' public office would be used for the
company's private gain, the commission said.
"The commission has previously held that commercial endorsement
of private sector products or services by governmental agencies is
acceptable only when it is a part of a program which results in
overriding public benefit," the commission's opinion said. "That
is not the case here."

If public awareness of these dogs would prevent one person from setting a fire, I wonder how much money would be saved in the suppression, investigation, and prosecution costs? Anybody wanna bet that it wouldn't exceed the value of the dog food?

In this case, the dogs' public office would be used for the
company's private gain, the commission said.
It seems pretty clear that the bloodhounds aren't the only mutts capable of holding public office.
CaptainGonzo
11-09-2002, 09:58 AM
well said, Brother!!!!
erfpd111
11-09-2002, 12:11 PM
Does this also apply to the Subway ad featuring Henry, Clay Henry? :D
huff317
11-09-2002, 01:27 PM
Hey y'all,
does this mean that Smokey the Bear won't be coming out of retirement?

Ditto to Captain G! :D :D

Peace
NJFFSA16
11-09-2002, 06:13 PM
Okay....as ridiculous as this whole scenario is...imagine the scene when they bring the dogs before the Ethics board...on charges that the dogs acted unethically.

Raise your right paw and repeat after me?

:rolleyes:
CaptainGonzo
11-09-2002, 07:35 PM
Originally posted by NJFFSA16
Okay....as ridiculous as this whole scenario is...imagine the scene when they bring the dogs before the Ethics board...on charges that the dogs acted unethically.

Raise your right paw and repeat after me?

:rolleyes:



Woof!
huff317
11-09-2002, 08:39 PM
getting indicted?! That would sure make for a 'ruff' day......I guess you'd be dog-tired after all that. Taking a 'paws' after all that activity, maybe you would 'furget' what all the ado was about?

.....Peace:D