Bloomberg | January 6, 2011 | Crayton Harrison
America Movil SAB, billionaire Carlos Slim’s Latin American wireless carrier, will raffle debit cards instead of puppies to Colombian customers after it received criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Comcel, the Colombian division of the mobile-phone carrier, said in an e-mail it made the decision in response to criticism from various organizations. The company said it contacted PETA, as the Norfolk, Virginia-based animal-rights group is known, and Colombian activists today to inform them of the decision.
America Movil, the biggest wireless company in Latin America, had been registering buyers of LG Electronics Inc. phones for the raffle that ends Jan. 15. The dogs, provided by breeder Cachorros de San Luis, included pugs, beagles, boxers, shih tzus and labradors.
Comcel said it didn’t intend to cause controversy and that it was “sensitive to the considerations it received” although it had taken precautions to assure the responsible treatment of the puppies.
….
