I know, because I saw it happen. I had been in advertising for three months in the 1960s when I had my first nightmare meeting. The advertising manager was waving three handwritten letters at the agency team and shouting that he was about to pull an ad. The client was Esquire men's socks, and the ad in question simply showed a very well-dressed man sitting shoeless in his living room with a rather large bulldog at his stockinged feet. I asked the art director.
People hate the bulldog.
One guy says dogs are disgusting creatures and don't belong in advertising. He says he's never going to wear Esquire socks again. A very nervous account executive suggested the dog be airbrushed out of the picture. Then I'll be able to write these people and tell them I've taken some action. Cut to 35 years later.