- Dirt Dog Hosted Free Bluey Event But Was Overwhelmed by Participation
- BBC Studios ordered the restaurant to cease and desist from any future Bluey events
A popular Las Vegas restaurant chain was issued a cease and desist after it hosted a calamitous Bluey-themed event for families.
Dirt Dog hosted a free event on May 11 advertising games, treats, face painting and the chance to meet Bluey, a popular Australian children’s cartoon dog.
However, the operation went downhill when hundreds of parents and children lined up down the street to meet Bluey, only to be greeted by “a guy in a jumpsuit”, as one bewildered customer described it.
The restaurant offered to host a remake event, but will no longer be able to do so because the show’s exclusive licensee, BBC Studios, has ordered the event to cease and desist.
They said the unauthorized event “will likely cause confusion and harm BBC Studios, Ludo Studio and the BLUEY franchise,” according to a copy of the letter obtained by FOX5.
Popular Las Vegas restaurant chain Dirt Dog has been given a cease and desist by BBC Studios after it hosted a disastrous Bluey-themed event.
The restaurant offered to host a makeup event after hundreds of parents and children lined up down the block to meet Bluey, only to be greeted by “a guy in a jumpsuit.”
“BBC Studios has learned from media reports that you held a previous BLUEY DAY event that ‘descended into chaos’ with crying children and disappointed parents,” the legal document said.
‘To prevent further damage, BBC Studios demands that you cancel all planned BLUEY DAY events and immediately and permanently cease offering any services or products related to or in any way using the BLUEY brand, any similar variations that may cause confusion, and/or any images of characters that are the exclusive intellectual property of Ludo Studio.’
Outraged customers had already flooded the restaurant’s Facebook page with negative reviews about the event.
Customers said the restaurant’s untrained staff did the face painting poorly and the children’s treats ran out before everyone could enter.
Some parents also complained about the restaurant’s cleanliness and the boy dressed as Bluey’s apparent disinterest in the children.
The cease and desist said the unauthorized event was “likely to cause confusion and harm BBC Studios, Ludo Studio and the BLUEY franchise.”
Customers said the restaurant’s untrained staff did the face painting poorly and the children’s treats ran out before everyone could enter.
‘I understand they had to be quick designs, but whiskers and a paw print? The promised “treats” were pastries for which you had to pay. We didn’t see games or activities,” one parent wrote.
‘Dollar Tree’s Temu Bluey costume and decorations are featured in Dirt Dog Las Vegas Rainbow! Thank you for ruining my 3 year old’s day!’ wrote another scorned mother.
‘My son was heartbroken and I already drove 45 minutes. We love dirty dog… but this time, my friends, you ruined it. “Bad marketing, bad thinking, you really let my son down,” wrote a third.
Dirt Dog responded to the news of the cease and desist by saying that they only had good intentions and planned to host other community events that were not related to Bluey.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that we can no longer host a Bluey event for our community. Staff from Las Vegas to Los Angeles are completely disappointed with this news,” the restaurant said.
‘We only had the purest intentions to give back to those around us. We sincerely hope that the Las Vegas community will forgive us and continue to support us as we continue to advance our community involvement.
‘We will continue to host more family events to give back to the families who continue to support us. We will be hosting our farmers market for our local business owners on June 29, 2024, which will include a coloring station for kids, carnival games, free slushies, and much more.’
“We hope everyone affected by the previous event will come out and support the small businesses in our community.”
