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Showing Original Post only (View all)'Worst idea ever': Mattel under fire over toy car driven by live cricket kept in motion sensor cage [View all]
Barbie maker Mattel has come under fire over a toy car that is driven by a live insect kept inside a plastic cage attached to the device.
Bug Racer was condemned as the worst toy idea ever because it is inhumane to crickets, which are nocturnal and tend to sleep during the day.
Instead their routine will be upended and children as young as six will be goading them into steering the car by touching sensors inside their living module.
Mattel joked that the device comes with crickets not included and that it is the first vehicle that puts real crickets behind the wheel.
But animal rights group Peta last night branded it as cruel as it is ridiculous and demanded it be taken off the shelves immediately.
The habitat can hold up to five crickets, and features four different driving modes. Crickets will have to be purchased separately, and Mattel recommends medium to large crickets for best vehicle operation, around an inch in length. The cricket-powered car is not just a toy, but a learning experience for the owners
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3376520/Worst-idea-Mattel-fire-toy-car-driven-live-cricket-kept-motion-sensor-cage-wheel.html
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'Worst idea ever': Mattel under fire over toy car driven by live cricket kept in motion sensor cage [View all]
Liberal_in_LA
Dec 2015
OP
this is BULL ! WHAT A CRAP TOY. Mattel, killing crickets. SHAME SHAME ON YOU piece of garbage
trueblue2007
Dec 2015
#7
I suspect if you asked the crickets if they would prefer to drive the car or be eaten by the mantis
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#35
Yeah. My kid who thinks most new foods are "gross", ate a lollipop with a cricket inside once
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#68
I suspect crickets would prefer to maintain a natural life in natural environment.
LanternWaste
Dec 2015
#61
I suppose. But is it really "suffering"? The bugs are in a clear box.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#26
Recognizing our faults is step one. Being sincere about it is step two. Good luck, little cowboy!!!
LanternWaste
Dec 2015
#63
I guess. I must confess I'm just not feeling the outrage, on this one.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#47
Hell, I'm rubbing my legs together and creating a chirping sound as we speak!
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#56
They just need to make a car for my bearded dragon so he has a chance to catch his food.
Quackers
Dec 2015
#82
"None of them will have experienced anything like this before" - undoubtedly, true.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#37
It made it to market because some big shot at mattel thought it was a good idea, and his people
hughee99
Dec 2015
#74
Houseflies are lower in my esteem than crickets, yet it is still wrong to pull their wings off
Hekate
Dec 2015
#30
I seldom agree with PETA because they are so over-the-top, but I hope Mattel is embarassed. nt
Hekate
Dec 2015
#40
I had one delivered by amazon, it was left on the welcome mat and you know what happened.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#39
At least the crickets met their destiny and the Door Buzzard got a Xmas dinner...
Hekate
Dec 2015
#41
Using a buzzard in that fashion probably would not please peta, either.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#42
OMG, I have to check back into the Door Buzzard thread to see if a PETA subthread has appeared!
Hekate
Dec 2015
#43
As a cricket, given the choice between (1) having a metal hook shoved up my ass
Nye Bevan
Dec 2015
#66