Good Morning Britain have blasted a guest who presented the argument that the word 'pet' is derogatory and patronising towards animals.
The President of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, is calling for animal owners to use a different word when referring to their four-legged friends, as the term 'pet' is comparable to the treatment of women before feminism.
The animal rights group also wants phrases like 'bring home the bacon' and 'let the cat out of the bag' to be banned.
Hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid were joined on today's instalment of the ITV show by Senior Media Officer at PETA, Jennifer White, who believes the word 'pet' should be replaced by something like 'companion'.
"A lot of people at home who have dogs and cats will call these animals their pets and refer to themselves as owners, and this implies that the animals are possessions," Jennifer said.
"When you refer to animals as an inanimate object, it can reflect our treatment on these animals."
Susanna went on to raise the point that under the law pets are classified as possessions. Outspoken host Piers also had one or two things to say about this 'nonsense' argument.
"You want to ban the word pet, but you want your organisation to carry on being called PETA," Piers said.
"Pet is offensive, I'm offended by your use of the word pet."
Jennifer responded by saying: "It's not offensive, we're not telling anyone it's offensive. Animals aren't offensive.
"We're suggesting that people could use the word companion."
"Well, I'm suggesting you call yourselves Companion-A then," Piers declared.
Good Morning Britain viewers took to social media in droves to voice their opinions on the matter.
One Twitter user wrote: "As long as they’re loved and looked after I m sure any animal doesn’t care what it’s called #theworldsgonemad #letmeoff."
Another said: "I’ve just asked my dog and he is fine with being called a Pet. He actually looked confused by me asking."
A third added: "Oh my god behave!!! Seriously have these people nothing better to do."
"Does an animal care? No. Did they tell you it’s derogatory? No. So just stop!" another added.
"Omg , stop world I now want to get off!!!" one user said.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
