50 MPs have called on the BBC to axe their latest show centred around puppy breeding which has been dubbed “extremely irresponsible”.
A letter has been sent to BBC Director-General Tim Davie from several members of the parliamentary parties, pleading with him to reconsider the decision to broadcast the show.
The programme was originally titled ‘Will My Puppies Make Me Rich?’
Crawley MP Henry Smith had originally organised the damming letter with four ex-Tory cabinet ministers penning their name, including Former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Theresa Villiers.
“Given the level of trust associated with the BBC, we believe you have a huge responsibility to set and maintain the very highest ethical standards and a programme of this nature appears at odds with this,” it reads.
MP Theresa Villiers has penned her name on the damming letter (Image: Getty Images)
The Mirror goes on to say that it adds: “We consider the premise of this programme to be extremely irresponsible, seeking not only to popularise puppy breeding but also glamorise it as a ‘get rich quick’ scheme.”
Speaking to the publication, Conservative MP Neil Hudson, who is also a vet said: “The strength of feeling against this proposed BBC Three show in the veterinary community, the wider public and amongst politicians is widespread and obvious.
Celeb such as Paul O’Grady have slammed the BBC programme (Image: ITV)
“I have joined in a Cross Party Letter, led by my colleague Henry Smith and signed by 50 MPs, to the BBC Director-General urging the BBC to reconsider going ahead with this programme which has the potential to seriously undermine animal welfare.
“We are indeed a nation of animal lovers and it so important that the national broadcaster promotes the sensible and safe ways of owning a much-cherished pet.”
The programme was initially pitched to the BBC by Sophia Slater and Helena Rochester (Image: Internet Unknown)
Over 208,000 people have now signed a petition calling on the Beeb to remove the programme from their listings.
However, the corporation has said they are not glamorising puppy breeding and the programme will “follow young individuals that are already responsibly breeding or are training to become accredited in order to highlight what constitutes best practice.”
The name of the show has since been changed to Britain’s Puppy Boom: Counting The Cost, with the Beebs saying: “We think that title makes clearer the BBC’s and the programmes intentions.”
Sophia Slater and Helen Rochester had originally pitched the programme to the BBC.
They said: “We’re so excited about winning the opportunity to make this documentary for BBC Three and will be filming some fabulous young contributors.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
