'People say my dog's name is offensive

'People say my dog's name is offensive - strangers have a go at me in the park on walks'

Everyone is entitled to name their pets whatever they want.

You have the usual suspects like Fido or Spot for a dog, Mr Whiskers for a cat and pretty much anything for a fish.

But one owner in particular has been accused of going too far after naming a dog she had rescued in 2020.

What was the name she gave him?

Covid.

When it comes to naming a dog, many owners spend weeks mulling over their options and people tend to opt for a name which suit their dog's appearance, personality or the story behind their adoption into their family.

But one owner has been shamed for taking this too far and naming her dog

Speaking on Reddit, the owner explained how she named her dog after a virus which has claimed the lives of more than six million people worldwide, because she rescued him during the national lockdown.

She said: "We found a stray puppy during the start of our lockdown. It started by feeding him scraps in the back garden where we were spending so much of our time.

"Now he's moved in and is probably going to stay unless someone comes forward to claim him. We put a notice up in some village shops about him.

"We called him Covid because that's why we found him - spending all our time at home."

The woman explained she was confronted by a couple during a walk.

She added: "We have now started taking him out for walks - which he loves. But yesterday a couple heard us calling his name while playing by the beach.

"They came over and told us that it's insensitive as they lost an uncle to the virus. They said how would we feel if they called their pet cancer or death?"

Questioning the couple's response, she asked Reddit if Covid is an "offensive" name or whether the couple simply "overreacted".

One user said: "I mean, use practically any other example and it looks really bad really fast.

"Would you name a dog AIDS and go running around in public yelling 'Here AIDS! Come here boy, that's a good AIDS!'

"I mean if nothing else, running around on the beach shouting "COVID! COVID!" could be construed as yelling fire in a crowded theatre - just not smart any way you slice it."

Deeming it an inappropriate name, another user asked: "Would you name a dog Ebola, AIDS or cancer?"

A third user said: "I mean it's a stupid name for a dog, but it's a dog. Maybe if it were a child, then it would be pretty bad.

Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here