BarkBox Offensive Toy Sparks Controversy and Backlash

A recent controversy has erupted over a toy included in a BarkBox subscription. The toy, a miniature figurine, was meant to be a fun surprise for dogs, but it ended up causing offense to some recipients.

The toy in question is a small figurine of a Native American chief. Several customers were upset by the depiction, feeling it was culturally insensitive.

The backlash against BarkBox was swift, with many customers taking to social media to express their outrage.

BarkBox's social media team quickly got in on the fun and replied to many comments on the original post making fun of the whole incident.

They replied to most comments within 12 hours of being posted, showing their prompt response to the controversy.

The company even posted an article on their blog, BarkPost, addressing the issue and letting the public know that they had no idea of the resemblance until it was released.

Stacie Grissom, Head of Content at BARK, was very excited to have the potential scandal turn into something everyone could just laugh at.

The company's reaction to the controversy was swift and lighthearted, with Melissa Smith, the head of its human resources department, posting a "We're Sorry" note to Instagram.

The note acknowledged that the toy had been released without warning the social team and that it had crossed a line.

BarkBox even invited dogs "to destroy it upon delivery", which is kind of what the toy is meant to do.

The company also gave a shoutout to Toy Designer Jake, who had a heavy hand in creating the controversial toy.

In fact, Jake even joked about the toy's "deviant" nature, saying "Yeah, let's credit that little deviant."

BarkBox often releases limited-edition Halloween-themed boxes, which may include spooky toys and treats.

These boxes are usually available in the weeks leading up to Halloween and can be a fun way for pet owners to celebrate the holiday with their dogs.

In 2019, BarkBox released a Halloween-themed box that included a toy shaped like a rat, which some customers found to be in poor taste.

The toy was meant to be a Halloween-themed item, but it ended up being a source of offense for many customers.

Some customers complained that the toy was too realistic and could be disturbing for children who might see it.

BarkBox ultimately apologized for the toy and offered a refund to customers who were unhappy with it.

The incident highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of Halloween-themed content on customers.