Charity urges Llanelli Star to drop anti-meow meow campaign logo
A CAT welfare charity has raised fears that the Star's "inappropriate" anti-meow meow campaign logo could incite cruelty to animals.
Cats Protection branch manager Patrick Willey contacted the paper following complaints about the slogan 'let's kill the cat', which has been used alongside hard-hitting articles highlighting the devastating effects of the drug in recent weeks.
-
Alan Andrews, chief executive of Chooselife Cymru, wearing a T-shirt featuring the “Let’s kill the cat” logo.
Mr Willey, the charity's branch coordinator, said he was acting on a complaint from someone concerned about the "possible adverse effect" of the wording.
But Alan Andrews, chief executive of Chooselife Cymru, branded the complaint "ridiculous" and urged the paper to keep up the campaign's momentum.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Mr Willey wrote: "While we understand the seriousness of the drugs issue in the area and your support for the issue, we feel that 'kill the cat' is not particularly appropriate, especially in light of the recent reporting of a decapitated cat being put through someone's letterbox (see our story on page 4). Indeed this message we believe is not derived from the Star, but we passionately ask if you would seriously consider removing these words from any future campaign message to alleviate any possible resulting cruelty issues as they are causing some distress to some.
"We feel this action would be in the public interest as there have been a number of cruelty cases over the last year in the community and we don't want to see the numbers rise."
Mr Andrews, who has worked closely with the Star since the campaign was launched, was disappointed the intended message had been overlooked.
"The campaign is aimed at people who are hanging around with others who already take it or are at risk of taking it, and would be aware of its nickname meow meow," he said.
"It is nicknamed that because of the ingredient m-cat. People who the campaign is aimed at would know that 'kill the cat' means stop taking it.
"If society has become so deranged that people can misinterpret it as a message to go out and kill cats then we're living in a sadder world than I thought." He added a hard-hitting slogan was vital as the campaign aimed to target youngsters who might be under pressure to try the drug.
"The message is clear," he said. "Kill the cat — don't take meow meow. I've had tremendous feedback from parents, siblings and even users saying we need to keep up the campaign."
For our view, see page 10. But what do you think? Write to us, or email alana.lewis@ swwmedia.co.uk or tweet her at @alana_lewis
Comments
by dick_e
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 9:43PM
“I think we may have inadvertently stumbled upon a lucrative t-shirt market here for animal lovers as well as all those who enjoy getting high on drugs.How about a picture of mr Andrews dressed as Jesus on the front with a slogan underneath saying "Lets Kill the Tw*t".
I believe it would be a best seller”
by Philosoraptor
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:18PM
“Animal lovers need to get a grip, it is them after all who just put the idea of killing cats into th heads of drug addicts.”
by koujar
Monday, October 15 2012, 7:03PM
“by Witchy
Monday, October 15 2012, 3:25PM
"I think the slogan could be deliberately used by drug abusers as a means to retaliate against the Campaign. The campaign is admirable - but NOT the slogan and anything that could be interpreted as a means to incite violence against animals should not be tolerated. Yes, 'so called 'normal' people understand it is not meant literally, but we are talking here about people who are on the margins of society in a lot of cases. Keep up the Campaign but come up with a different slogan."
I have to be honest this is the most sensible post on here!!!!
my fear is that people on meow are not acting in a lucid manner and could very well respond in a very negative way to the slogan.
I class myself as a friend of Alan, and find it quite cowardly the offensive remarks directed against him when all he wants to do is rid Llanelli of this drug because before long it will start taking lives regularly whether it be from the addicted people themselves or innocent victims mugged/robbed so that addicts can get their high”
by Witchy
Monday, October 15 2012, 3:25PM
“I think the slogan could be deliberately used by drug abusers as a means to retaliate against the Campaign. The campaign is admirable - but NOT the slogan and anything that could be interpreted as a means to incite violence against animals should not be tolerated. Yes, 'so called 'normal' people understand it is not meant literally, but we are talking here about people who are on the margins of society in a lot of cases. Keep up the Campaign but come up with a different slogan.”
by godisalie
Sunday, October 14 2012, 11:52PM
“The day this earth is no longer occupied by humans cannot come soon enough.”
by killthehuman
Sunday, October 14 2012, 10:19PM
“Chantelle, you mention that the article is balanced but then proceed to ridicule an animal charity. I don't mean to offend, but this doesn't come across as a balanced opinion from someone who has been reporting for many years on the very same paper.”
by mikeneath
Sunday, October 14 2012, 11:10AM
“DAFUQ I LOVE CATS. CATS ARE MINT. I SEE GREEN ONES AND PURPAL ONES I DOES”
by cogitoergosum
Saturday, October 13 2012, 4:25PM
“One major difference in the article in question and the 'balanced argument' to which Chantelle Rees refers is the stark contrast in tone between the points raised on behalf of Cats' Protection which were measured, reasoned and considered whilst those representing the opposite point of view preferred to indulge in a vitriolic attack deriding those concerns as'ridiculous' and 'nonsense'. A tone that is encountered again in Chantelle Rees's submission - only this time these concerns are now described as 'completely ridiculous'.
Of the two I know which approach I would prefer.”
by peajay
Saturday, October 13 2012, 3:15PM
“There is a lot of concern by some readers of the Llanelli Star about the association of the Meow-Meow (mephedrone) and "let's kill the cat" campaign to eradicate the use of the drug which is supported by the newspaper with Alan Andrews, chief executive of Chooselife Cymru. The Cats Protection organisation's fears that the use of the slogan may be seen as a 'license to kill' and this may incite cruelty to animals have been branded "ridiculous" by Mr Andrews for asking the newspaper to ditch the slogan.
This issue has been exacerbated by the recent reporting of a beheaded cat being put through a person's letterbox in Llanelli. Whilst there may be no connection it should be noted that in another article in the Llanelli Star, 10th October, staff at a local hospital in Swansea have seen a sharp rise in admissions with people affected by mephedrone over the past 18 months. The article reports that staff have said that doctors were "especially worried at the level of violence" seen from these people.
Whilst there is not a lot known about the side-effects of taking mephedrone on its own it is quite clear that if any drug taken with another, even alcohol, adverse effects may occur. A person who is affected by the use of mephedrone with or without any other drug may well become violent and perceive the slogan "let's kill the cat" as a message to him or her to act upon.
The slamming of Cats Protection by town and county councillor John Jenkins for "exaggerating" and its complaint as "nonsense" is, to say the least, unprofessional and unbecoming of a responsible elected member of the community. To denigrate a worthy organisation that has saved and re-homed many thousands of cats over the years is unworthy.
The Llanelli Star, with a social conscience, is demonstrating great concern about the use of this drug and its effects, along with others, in today's society. It is to be congratulated for campaigning for the eradication of mephedrone. However, in this instance the newspaper should reconsider its position in supporting Mr Andrew's slogan 'Don't Let The Cat Out of The Bag - meow meow - Let's Kill the Cat' and take a more responsible position.”
by chantellerees
Saturday, October 13 2012, 1:12PM
“As a former reporter I can tell you that any letter to the editor is assumed to be for publication unless it specifically says otherwise. This article looks very balanced to me - giving both sides of the argument. It is then for people to make up their own minds over the issue. Personally I think it's completely ridiculous to draw any link between what is clearly an important anti-drugs campaign and animal cruelty.”