Severed paw advert causes offence

The Advertising Standards Authority has received complaints about a poster advertising the new betting website for Paddy Power…

The Advertising Standards Authority has received complaints about a poster advertising the new betting website for Paddy Power bookmakers. The poster, featuring a rabbit with one severed paw and a slogan implying the luck associated with a rabbit's foot, was criticised for being in bad taste.

The managing director of paddypower.com, Mr Stuart Kenny, said it had also received complaints from people who didn't see the point of the poster. "The picture wasn't meant to be offensive," said Mr Kenny. A ISPCA spokesperson said it would prefer if advertisers didn't use pictures of injured animals in commercial campaigns.