Author receives deaths threats after describing bull terrier as ‘scary’ in children’s book

A CHILDREN’S author and his family endured death threats after one of his books described an English bull terrier as a “scary dog”.

Michael Whaite’s children’s book, 100 Dogs, sparked a petition from bull terrier owners calling on the publishers to change the illustration.

The row rapidly escalated online, with Mr Whaite suffering abuse and even death threats directed at him and his young daughter.

The award-winning book for children describes 100 dogs and includes an illustration of a dog, resembling a bull terrier, straining on a chain and barking.

Above it, a caption reads: “scary dog”.

The illustration sparked an appeal on the petition website change.org 12 days ago.

Petitioner Micky Layton called for the book’s publishers to change the caption, describing it as “outrageous”.

The petition was signed by more than 32,000 supporters but quickly prompted a flood of abuse aimed at the children’s author.

On Thursday, Mr Whaite, 46, an author and illustrator who lives in Lancashire, took down his Twitter account, saying: “I deleted my Twitter account because my six-year-old daughter received a death threat. Says it all.”

A Whaite family member said: “It’s all been quite upsetting, the threats. Michael has been so upset and does not feel ready to speak about it just now.

“We are a dog-loving family. Michael had a little cairn terrier called Becky as a child.

“He got it when he was four and she lived till she was 17. The book is selling well.”

The petition was removed by Mr Layton, who is from London, after the death threats and abuse. His statement on closing the account said: “I’ve come to the decision that I am going to close this petition. This petition was started against Random House books.

“Unfortunately, they decided to hide behind the big corporate walls of their building, leaving author Michael Whaite to take the brunt of it.

“With all the hate speech that has gone on since the petition started I feel, along with many other supporters that have messaged me, this is doing more harm than good to the bull terrier name.”

The Kennel Club defended bull terriers, saying: “Bull terriers are one of the breeds sadly stereotyped due to their looks, which is a shame because they are a friendly and happy breed in the correct hands.

“Ultimately, a dog is only as good or bad as the owner who cares for and trains it.”

Publishers Random House said: “100 Dogs is a brilliantly-rhyming book for young children, revelling in all kinds of canine characteristics that any dog can potentially display.

“We love all breeds of dog and welcome the debate that is now taking place. Unfortunately, we at Puffin and the book’s author/illustrator have received threatening correspondence.”