Sometimes dogs make the news thanks to the bad behaviour of humans. But come on, surely it's a little ridiculous to censor the innocent animals.
The recent hubbub over Australian rugby league player Mitchell Pearce, who was caught simulating untoward things to a dog while allegedly drunk on Tuesday, is a pretty awful story. However, it is the dog's life that is really going be ruined.
Luckily, the dog's identity was censored on the front page of local newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, on Thursday.
Turns out this is not the first instance of dogs getting censored, with quite a few canines getting the black bar or pixelation treatment. Here are six of the best:
1. This poor poodle on the front of Australia's Daily Telegraph
The @dailytelegraph censored the dog. pic.twitter.com/b5WLkvvTuS— Gus Bruno (@gusbru07) January 27, 2016
2. The same pooch in another Australian paper, the Courier Mail
Censor bar for the true victim of this grubby act #poodlegate @cmail_sport @couriermail pic.twitter.com/ttfTam8j4b— Rhian Deutrom (@Rhi_lani) January 28, 2016
3. This smiley doggy on the glorious U.S. TV show, Cheaters
Watching Cheaters when this dog appears with its dog parts censored. Does it have big offensive balls or something?? pic.twitter.com/VUHPkJhFjt— Captain The Pug (@Captain_Pug) November 13, 2013
4. Keeping it family friendly in this dog seatbelt cover ad
Our dog seatbelts inexplicably come pre-censored, if that's something you were worried about. pic.twitter.com/uZUdlfsbm2— Mission Critter (@MissionCritter) September 16, 2015
5. Even lost doggies apparently need to cover up their bits
What the…looks like my local council has actually censored the genitals of this ‘little chap’ pictured? IT’S A DOG. pic.twitter.com/Ou28t6Im0i— Sarah Durrant (@Sarah_DurrantAU) April 20, 2015
6. And finally, some hounds just need to be censored so your political views aren't so easily skewed
The BBC censored a picture of a cute dog due to the UK's ridiculous election laws http://t.co/UZtIVjfYKg pic.twitter.com/V617N0Z69r— Jim Edwards (@Jim_Edwards) May 7, 2015