Has TV gone barking mad? British Animal Honours takes the biscuit as the latest in a slew of canine-themed viewing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain is known for being a nation of animal lovers, but has TV programming gone a bit barking mad?
Tonight marks the first British Animal Honours ceremony. The awards will be televised on ITV, which aims to “celebrate the achievements of the country’s most extraordinary animals and the people who work with them”- and it’s the dogs who come out top as the most awarded animal.
Haatchi, Hetty and Brin are awarded for (among other things) “thriving and making a difference to the lives of other animals” and “transforming someone’s life through their exemplary skills, loyalty and devotion.” And you thought Pride of Britain was bad.
It’s not the first time that ITV has pandered to the nation’s obsession with canines (and who can blame it when Fenton the dog gets 8 million views on YouTube). After Pudsey was crowned top dog on Britain’s Got Talent, we’ve had a number of television formats jumping on the dog-wagon, including That Dog Can Dance, Top Dog Model, The Secret Life of Dogs and For the Love of Dogs.
Then there are other channels which have commissioned such dog-drool programmes as It’s Me or the Dog, Dog Whisperer, Dogs with Jobs and Extraordinary Dogs.
But canine companions aren’t just the thing ITV3 shows are made of. The Blue Peter dog has become a national institution, and Andrew Neil recently gave his golden retriever free reign of the This Week studio.
Fur enough? Or animal exploitation?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments