A defiant landlord has blasted “left-wing wokery” demanding that he rename his pub The Old Bulldog.
One year ago, Mike Newton renamed the pub, formerly the Sea Lion Pub, after his pet bulldog Atticus.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote to him demanding he change the name of the Longton, Stoke-on-Trent of The Anchor Terrace boozer to The Old Mutt.
READ MORE: Elephant on loose after 'escaping circus' spotted walking outside supermarket
The controversial animal charity said they want the pub rebranded because “bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds are afflicted with brachycephalic syndrome”.
Brachycephalic causes laboured breathing, snorting, coughing, retching, fainting, and fatigue, as reported by StokeSentinel.
A PETA spokesman said: "Bulldogs have been bred so that their snouts are pushed against their skulls and there isn’t enough space to accommodate healthy anatomical features, making them prone to breathing problems.
“This is the leading cause of death for bulldogs. I hope you’ll agree that breeding dogs with unnatural features that cause severe health problems is cruel.
“This is why restrictions have been imposed on breeding breathing-impaired breeds in Norway and the Netherlands and why many other countries are looking to follow suit."
The Peta letter added: "We would be glad to contribute to the costs of a new sign and could even help with creating an adorable mutt-focused design."
Truth behind 'human bear' in zoo after sparking claims it was a person in costume
But Mike says that while he recognises the need to provide animal welfare, he does not think that national symbols should be attacked.
Speaking to the publication, he said: "I think it is very important that, while we all understand the need to provide animal welfare, our national symbols are not attacked.
“I also think the overwhelming majority of bulldogs and flat face breeds are happy, healthy dogs and as long as their owners care for them, feed them the right diet, and give them exercise, there is absolutely no reason why there should be any ban on them.
Brits warned of false widow spider summer invasion after washout summer
“The real subtext is not so much animal welfare – it is more extreme left-wing wokery.
“I have grown up around here and have strong links to the area. I want to put something back in the community.
Mike explained he and his staff believed The Old Bulldog would be a good name as everyone loved Atticus, and this attack has left them feeling insulted and patronised.
Seagulls plaguing UK town by stealing food and squawking loudly people can't use phones
He said: "We were feeling a bit insulted when we got this very patronising letter from the charity that represents the worst of wokism, telling us how to run our business. It has been hard enough to make money in the pub trade in recent years.
"Initially I thought the letter was a prank. But then it turned out to be deadly serious. I do not think big charity should interfere with the small business. And I also do not think that woke people should be attacking our national symbols.
"I think, in the Potteries and Staffordshire generally, we do not like being told what to do and we like to display a bit of bulldog spirit when someone comes along and says, 'This is how you have to do it'."
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Source: Read Full Article
