Pedro Sola Faces Backlash for Dog Poisoning Comments: Brands Pull Ads, Legal Complaint Filed

Pedro Sola, longtime host of Mexican TV show Ventaneando, faced intense backlash for comments made on the July 6 broadcast where he said he felt like throwing "poisoned meat" at dogs in public places and "shooting" their owners Source: Heraldo de México. Despite issuing an apology reading a script, the controversy quickly escalated, leading to commercial, legal, and public condemnations.

The Comments

During a segment on pet-friendly spaces, Sola said: "I can't tolerate dogs in stores, dogs in the supermarket, dogs defecating in restaurants... I feel like throwing a piece of poisoned meat or those who carry three in a stroller—I feel like shooting them, the owners." Source: Milenio. Co-host Pati Chapoy laughed and suggested sending dog lovers to a psychiatric hospital, drawing additional criticism Source: Excélsior.

Commercial and Institutional Consequences

Within days, four brands owned by Mondelēz International—Panditas, Clorets, Halls, and Trident—issued a joint statement calling Sola's comments "unacceptable" and pulling their advertising from Ventaneando Source: Listín Diario. Hellmann's and Crema Lala also distanced themselves, with Lala posting a pun on Sola's name: "A recipe SOLA doesn't sit well... not even for the little dogs" Source: Milenio. A restaurant in Zapopan, Lukas y Tomás, placed a sign at its entrance banning Sola from entering, stating "violence is not a joke" Source: Heraldo de México.

Legal and Celebrity Backlash

Animal rights law firm "Va por sus derechos" filed a criminal complaint against Sola and Chapoy for "public incitement to commit a crime and apology thereof" with the Mexico City Attorney General's Office Source: Excélsior. Numerous celebrities including Luisito Comunica, Pepillo Origel, and Arturo Islas Allende condemned the remarks. TV Azteca owner Ricardo Salinas Pliego wrote on social media that the comments were "regrettable" but did not announce any firing. Co-host Vanessa Claudio said she expects internal discipline but left the decision to "the bosses" Source: Infobae. As of this writing, no formal sanction against Sola has been announced.