Outrage over Choke the Chicken

[LeiZaK]

Text

THE RSPCA said it was outraged a toy dubbed "choke the chicken" being sold to young children that encourages them to squeeze the dancing chicken's neck until it flaps around.

"What next? Burn a cat? Shoot a dog?," the RSPCA's Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said.
"This so-called toy sends out completely the wrong message to children.

"It's entirely possible that children of that age are likely to turn around and try the same thing on their pet bird or even the cat or dog.

"Then they're going to wonder why the animal fights back."

The toy is manufactured by a Taiwanese company, The Dahyang toy Industrial Company Limited, and is widely available in electrical stores across Australia and online through eBay.

It is marketed for children over the age of three.
The wording on the side of the box said: "Grab and lift him up by the neck as he dances.

"He will squawk and cluck like mad, flapping his wings and feet wildly as if he's gagging and choking."

Mr Beatty said "he would like to think he has a sense of humour" but "this is just plain sick".

"The whole concept is grossly irresponsible."

Jaycar electrical stores was one of the main importers of the toy, but managing director Gary Johnstone said he was "amused and mystified" by the RSPCA's response.

"I've got mixed feelings because the RSPCA are a fair and noble organisation, but I would have thought they would have better things to do like saving real animals from cruelty," Mr Johnstone said.

"This is a toy that is used to relieve stress, it's meant to be a bit of a giggle."

Update: Pic thanks to alien42

 

[meltdown75]

burn a cat & shoot a dog! sign me up!

 

[Gibson486]

"This is a toy that is used to relieve stress..."

oh boy

 

[loup garou]

Just wait till they get wind of "SPANK THE MONKEY" and "FLOG THE DOLPHIN!" They'll be hoppin' mad!

 

[LeiZaK]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
"This is a toy that is used to relieve stress..."

oh boy

it works!

 

[shud]

It's not as bad as robot God-Jesus: http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?image...esus.jpg&category=Toys&date=2002-10-16

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: shud
It's not as bad as robot God-Jesus: http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?image...esus.jpg&category=Toys&date=2002-10-16

double ewe tee eff

 

[oddyager]

Excellent. My faith in the toy industry is restored. :disgust:

 

[BrokenVisage]

Flog the Dolphin FTW! Whoever came up with that phrase deserves a medal.

 

[alien42]

i want one

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
Flog the Dolphin FTW! Whoever came up with that phrase deserves a medal.

the girl's version of the game could be called "Double-Click the Mouse!"

 

[gwlam12]

They should just bring back Stretch Armstrong.

 

[digiram]

ROFL....That is one freaky chicken. I'm selling real life chickens that you can choke. Once it's dead, you can throw it in the fryer. If you're interested, send me a pm .

 

[digiram]

Originally posted by: shud
It's not as bad as robot God-Jesus: http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?image...esus.jpg&category=Toys&date=2002-10-16

It looks like the NES's BOB. ROFL

 

[HardcoreRobot]

someone think of the chickens!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wow, what marketing genius thought that one up?

 

[randomlinh]

flog the dolphin? wow, that's one i haven't heard

 

[Jzero]

There's a difference between the package saying "Ages 3 and up" meaning there's not bits small enough for a child to choke on and actually being MARKETED to 3 year olds. I have a feeling this is the kind of novelty toy you would find in Spencers and is not marketed to children at all.

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: alien42
i want one

That's scarier than the name of the toy.

 

[ryan256]

Well.. from what I can read of the packaging it looks like it says Anger Management 101. Personally I think it would be funny and probably a good stress reliever for adults who have had a difficult day.
Oh.. and here's your spank the monkey!