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Chaser under fire over guide dogs skit
ABC's The Chaser program is again under fire for what a charity has described as a degrading and offensive skit about guide dogs.
The Chaser on Wednesday night aired a skit centred on an organisation called "Guide Dogs for the Blind and Munted".
It featured guide dogs leading drunken men, one of whom smashes a bottle near a dog in harness.
Guide Dogs Queensland chief executive Chris Laine said her organisation had received a number of complaints from offended clients and had passed them on to ABC management and The Chaser team.
Ms Laine said of particular concern was the episode's title and the "incorrect and debasing suggestion that guide dogs can be used to accommodate irresponsible and drunken behaviour".
"Most alarming for us all was watching the wanton and dangerous smashing of a bottle near the guide dog - which is clearly seen to frighten the dog in harness," Ms Laine said.
"If, as believed, this is an actual working dog guide then it is grossly inappropriate.
"In doing this skit, the Chasers have not only offended and degraded the work and dedication of guide dog schools around the world, but also the courage and commitment shown everyday by the many clients who use a guide dog."
The final episode of The Chaser will be aired next week.
The Chaser's War on Everything was taken off the air for two weeks in June after the top rating program's 'Make A Realistic Wish' skit about dying children caused widespread public outrage.
© AAP
