Aussie ad sparks debate after being banned by Netflix
A popular Aussie brand has had its latest ad banned from airwaves after viewers branded it the “most disgusting thing they had ever seen”.
A popular Aussie dog food brand has sparked debate after its latest advertisement was banned from airing on Netflix.
The one-and-a-half minute clip by Lyka titled “The Brutal Pick-up”, shows a woman walking her dog, while creepy music plays in the background.
The dog begins panting and whining before squatting down and dropping a large, runny poo all over the footpath.
The horrified woman then attempts to clean up the poo but instead rubs it in even more, accidentally getting some on her hand in the process.
The ad then switches to a scene of the woman in happier times, feeding her dog Lyka before taking it on another walk.
“Real food makes your dog’s poo less horrific,” it ends.
The ad, which has already racked up millions of views, has left Aussies divided – with some branding it the “best ad they’ve seen”, while others simply called it “disgusting.”
“It is sickening … it causes my family and me to suffer nausea, especially when it comes on while we are eating,” wrote one unhappy viewer.
“I think this ad should be banned. The [poo] was too disgusting and the owner’s scream was too horrific … it made me uncomfortable,” said another.
“This is one of the most disgusting advertisements I have ever seen on television. We change the channel as soon as it begins,” wrote a third.
Another declared they “nearly threw up their lunch” after watching it.
Others saw the humour in the clip, with some labelling it as “absolutely brilliant.”
“Best horror dog food commercial. I was so invested,” said one.
“This was high quality. I stayed for the whole thing,” said another.
“This is fantastic and oh so true. Well done, Lyka,” weighed in a third.
The controversial campaign is attempting to shine a spotlight on what Lyka says is every dog owner’s worst nightmare – a sloppy and un-pickable dog poo.
They also revealed that many Aussie dog owners have normalised bad poos, and need to be thinking more about how their pup’s food can impact their health.
“As a challenger brand, we can’t afford to be quiet. To break through lifelong dog food habits, we needed a disruptive idea. What’s the best indicator of a dog’s health? Their poo.
“It’s the honest, gross, and undeniable picture of what’s happening on the inside. That made ‘The Brutal Pick-up’ a clear winner.
“It’s simple, a little gross, funny, and sparks an essential conversation with dog owners,” said Analise, Creative Director at Lyka.
A new national survey commissioned by the brand showed that 3 in 4 Aussies believe sloppy poos are normal from time to time and that while 94 per cent of dog owners agree that highly processed food isn’t healthy, 87 per cent still view kibble – a highly processed product – as nutritious.
Worryingly, over half of respondents admitted they are unsure of what ingredients are actually in their dog’s food.
“Poo is one of the clearest indicators of a dog’s overall health, yet many Australians aren’t noticing the signs,” Veterinarian Dr Alexander England said.
“Bad poos aren’t normal, they’re a warning.
“A healthy stool should resemble a log. We are talking firm but pliable, light-to-medium brown, easy to scoop, and minimally odorous.”
The campaign also features a dedicated “Poo Horror Hotline”, where pup-parents can speak directly with experts, including vet nurses and veterinarians, about their dog’s poo and potential health concerns.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.
Poo Hotline:
Number: 02 7247 2382
Dates of operation: Running until 27 November.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm
Originally published as Aussie ad sparks debate after being banned by Netflix
