Tesco has sparked major controversy on social media over a children’s fox hunting costume and has been accused of encouraging children to take part in “bloodsport”.
Following a backlash from anti-hunting campaigners and the general public over the costume, described by the retailer as a “long sleeved red tailcoat style jacket”, Tesco has removed the item from its shelves.
https://twitter.com/BigInTheCountry/status/972056932877045760
You see @CA_TimB even the blood thirsty badger killing @Tesco realise what a PR disaster associating with hunting is. Nobody but foxhunters like foxhunters.
— Lepista (@Lepista) March 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/Judihewitt/status/971772201492938752
Im sorry, but being offended by @Tesco kids hunter outfit is bloody stupid. I hate fox hunting. However, for education and world book day, does no more harm than a pirates costume. Remember, pirates are known to murder, rape, pillage and plunder. Double standards.
— Zoë 🦊🦦 (@tarka98) March 8, 2018
Angry customers have called the move “appalling” and dubbed it “remarkably poor judgement” on Tesco’s part, with some threatening a boycott of the retailer.
Countryside Alliance’s chief executive Tim Bonner told The Telegraph: “Tesco needs to think carefully about bowing to intimidation from animal rights activists.
“From the hundreds of pubs named for huntsmen, hounds and foxes to the ‘whips’ in the House of Commons it is simply impossible to eradicate hunting from British life.
In response to the criticisms, Tesco stated the costume was from one of its partners.
“We’ve listened to customers and have immediately removed this product from sale,” it said.
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