She may be the nation’s favourite baker, but Mary Berry has come under fire for suggesting cooked bones can be fed to dogs.
The Great British Bake Off star faced criticism from some viewers for her comments during an episode of Foolproof Cooking on BBC Two.
After cooking a ham hock dish, the 80-year-old said: “You’re left with the bone there and I know who will like that,” before an image of her black Labrador was shown on screen.
Vets warn against feeding cooked bones to dogs (Danny Lawson / PA Archive)
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) warns against feeding cooked bones to animals because of the dangers they pose.
On its website, it says: “The veterinary consensus is that cooked bones should never be fed because of the potential health risks from splintering.
“We would advise pet owners to seek veterinary advice on feeding raw bones to their dog.
“Many manufacturers produce safe and helpful chewing products with proven oral health benefits as an alternative to bones.”
Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry on Bake Off (Love Productions/BBC)
Some viewers voiced their dismay at Berry’s potentially “life-threatening” suggestion.
Mary Berry advocating giving a cooked bone to a dog there. Something life-threatening for said dog.
I'm outraged @bbc.
— Josh Oates (@MesutOatesil) March 7, 2016
Mary Berry just said give a cooked bone to your dog. Please don't, unless you want a trip to the vet #foolproofcooking
— AGW (@AGW1983) March 7, 2016
I feel the producers of Mary Berry's programme should issue a statement regarding the inadvisability of giving dogs cooked bones.
— Barbara (@badpenny1931) March 8, 2016
Asked whether Berry wanted to respond to the criticism, her spokeswoman said: “No comment.”
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