As I had my kitchen sink bath last night, my thoughts turned to a disturbing video that I first became aware of a couple of months ago. It features a French invention called the Dog-o-Matic, which is essentially a carwash for dogs, involving jets of water and then blasts of hot air directed at a terrified animal captive in a noisy piece of equipment.
Who would put a dog in a washing machine? Apparently, plenty of people. Dog-o-Matic is already established in France and has plans to move into the United Kingdom. They are also pushing a cat-washing machine built along similar principles.
In response to unfavorable online comments on his invention, Romain Jarry -- the entrepreneur who came up with the idea -- posted a defense noting, in part, "In case of dog's panic, owners can push the stop button or open the door." To me, the concept still sounds like dog abuse.
