“PAW Patrol” Introduces Controversial New Fascist Character “Berto” The Cocker Spaniel

CURRENT EVENTS - The popular children’s television series “PAW Patrol” caught heat from parents this week following the introduction of controversial new fascist character “Berto” the Cocker Spaniel.

The fast-talking puppy -- an outspoken right-wing reactionary and radical political agitator -- made his debut entrance in the latest episode by bulldozing a public library to make space for a detention center for, in his words, “all the bad dogs”.

Jan Skylar, a mother of two elementary school aged boys, says she was preparing dinner for her family when she heard something unusual coming from the television in the living room.

“My kids were in there watching, and I overheard one of the dogs talking about how he was going to make a bomb. It was really disturbing.”

According to Mrs. Skylar, that was far from the only objectionable scene in the episode, which included a song containing detailed instructions for how to build an improvised explosive using kitchen appliances, as well as several moments where Berto turned to the viewer and prompted them to shout his catchphrase, “Authority, dignity, solidarity.”

“I turned the TV off. I don’t want my kids watching that. I have enough trouble getting them to listen to me as it is.”

During the episode, Berto clashes with the original PAW Patrol members, accusing Chase (a German Shepard police officer and PAW Patrol second-in-command) of being a “weak leader" and “politically impotent". At one point in the story, Berto attempts to convince Mayor Goodway to deploy high ordnance weaponry to disperse a peaceful political demonstration outside Adventure Bay’s city hall. Later, he criticizes the “feckless chatter of committees of so-called representatives”, and enthusiastically advocates governance by unilateral executive order.

“A fire is coming. The Marxists will be crucified on blood-altars of their own making. The arc of history is bent by the ceaseless hammer-blows of revolution,” Berto announces to the audience during a dramatically lit closeup towards the end of the episode.

Despite the backlash, show producers insist Berto’s inclusion is meant to highlight the importance of diversity in team building and encourage young viewers to think critically about new ideas.

“I value free speech,” explains series creator Keith Chapman. “I think it’s our civic responsibility to consider ideas on both ends of the political spectrum instead of trying to silence them outright. You have to keep in mind there are good, hard-working people on both sides.”

This is of course not the first time a children’s television show has been under fire for alleged political messaging. Parents may recall a similar public outcry in 2004 after the season finale of “The Teletubbies” featured a graphic lesbian sex scene.