- Muzza鈥檚 Pies in Auckland has launched 鈥渃at-flavoured鈥 dog pies, using rabbit and fish.
- Cat activist Anne Batley-Burton criticised the pies, saying they promote the idea that 鈥渃ats are for eating鈥.
- A percentage of sales will be donated to Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming to support canine welfare.
鈥淐at-flavoured鈥 pies for dogs have been unleashed by a TikTok-famous pie shop in Auckland.
But one cat activist has deemed the idea 鈥渁bsolutely disgusting鈥.
Muzza鈥檚 Pies said that since they released their new controversial flavour for four-legged foodies, it has already got tails wagging.
The 鈥済ourmet pies are crafted with a unique blend of rabbit and fish to mimic the tempting taste of a forbidden treat鈥.
The Mt Albert pie shop said the treats contained zero cat, and no felines were harmed in the making of the pies.
Cat activist Anne Batley-Burton is appalled a dog food would use a feline hook, describing it as tasteless. Photo / Michael Craig
Anne Batley-Burton, cat activist and former real housewife of Auckland, told the Herald the marketing promoted the idea that 鈥渃ats are for eating鈥.
It was 鈥渢errible, and it鈥檚 disgusting, this is the last thing we need when we鈥檝e got enough problems for the poor cats鈥.
Batley-Burton said the idea was 鈥渧ery tasteless, we already have issues where cats are being used as bait for dog fighting鈥.
Batley-Burton said she would be boycotting the pie shop.
The owner of Muzza鈥檚 Pies, John Williams, told the Herald he knew the 鈥渇un鈥 idea was potentially going to stir up some controversy.
鈥淚 knew it was a little ballsy... just a little bit of fun and tongue-in-cheek.鈥
The owner said the idea first came up when they began recognising how often customers snuck bites of their pies to their pups.
Muzza鈥檚 Pies, a beloved Mt Albert pie shop, is shaking up the menu with a new menu item that鈥檚 got tails wagging 鈥 鈥楥at Flavoured Dog Pies鈥. Photo / Muzza's Pies
Williams said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e always been about bringing people together over great pies, and we鈥檝e seen firsthand how much our customers love sharing a treat with their dogs.
鈥淪o we wanted to create something special just for them while also giving back to dogs in need.
鈥淎nd let鈥檚 be honest, the idea of replicating cat flavours in a pie for dogs gave us a good laugh 鈥 we just had to do it!鈥
Williams said 10% of every dog pie sale will be donated to Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming.
The owner said that when developing the idea, they used the help of AI with a few adjustments to create the ideal recipe for dogs.
The new dog pies will be sold from a miniature dog-sized replica of the bakery, set up right outside the shop.
Muzza鈥檚 Pies, now run by John Williams鈥 son, John, is known on social media for offering favourites like steak and cheese, Mexicani, and chicken and apricot, alongside this new canine-friendly option.
The new pies will be sold from a miniature dog-sized replica of the bakery, set up right outside the shop. Photo / Muzza's Pies
What is Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming?
Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming is a New Zealand-based dog welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of neglected, abused, and abandoned dogs.
Partnering with the SPCA, Auckland Council, and other rescue groups, Chained Dog Rehabilitation and Rehoming provides hands-on intervention, support for dog owners, and rehoming for dogs who can鈥檛 stay in their homes.
The organisation also tackles broader issues through community outreach, promoting responsible pet ownership and long-term change.
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