The burger chain was flooded with one-star reviews (Picture: MEN/Solita Prestwich)

A hip burger chain was accused of ‘racism’ for saying they didn’t like pugs.

Solita in Manchester has been flooded with one-star reviews on Facebook and Tripadvisor, after they posted a pet photo competition online.

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‘It’s been ages since we had a Sunday night pet photo comp…’ the post said. ‘Usual rules apply, best pic of your pet. No pugs, rabbits or rats (we don’t like them). Best pic wins lunch for two.’

Little did they know that this would unleash a barrage of complaints, with almost 500 one-star reviews on Facebook alone.


One rat owner, Kayla Ware, wrote: ‘Racist towards my rats. Rude. All they wanted is food.’

Their post caused outrage (Picture: Solita/Facebook/Ashitha Nagesh)

Another user, Heather Wilsey, commented: ‘If you’re this quick (and public) to discriminate against certain populations of animals, it can be rightfully ascertained that you probably do likewise with certain populations of human beings.



‘Discrimination of any kind is hurtful and unacceptable, and will only serve to alienate existing potential customers.’

And Jade Thomas simply wrote: ‘Racist to pugssssssssssssssssssssssssss’ (sic.)

The restaurant was accused of ‘racism’ (Picture: Solita/Facebook)

Pug-lovers were furious (Picture: Solita/Facebook)

Pugs were apparently equally upset (Picture: Solita/Facebook)

Solita was accused of ‘discrimination’ (Picture: Solita/Facebook)

Responding to the backlash, a director for Solita said: ‘Last night we ran one of our popular Sunday evening social media photo competitions, something we have done successfully for the last five years.

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‘Past competitions have included best shed, worst fridge contents and manliest shed.

‘By far, the most popular has always been our best pet competition, with thousands of entries each time.

‘Our competitions are often tongue-in-cheek, and this week’s, as in other weeks, was no different – with pugs, rats and rabbits being excluded.

Solita owner Franco Sotgiu said the post was ‘tongue in cheek’, but apologised for causing offence (Picture: MEN)

‘Other weeks’ competitions have seen reptiles excluded for no particular reason.

‘Last night’s competition however took a different slant, with pug and rat owners leaving one-star Facebook reviews without dining at any of our restaurants.

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‘It wasn’t our intention to offend any person or animal, and we apologise wholeheartedly if we have upset anyone.

‘However, we believe that leaving one-star reviews to a business that employs 200 local people is unfair.

‘Solita is an inclusive restaurant group and welcomes all pet owners.

‘The vast majority of people do see the funny side. Also, one of our directors owns a pug.’