Winnie-the-Pooh (PAISAN HOMHUAN / SHUTTERSTOCK)
WINNIPEG — A beloved children’s character has come under fire by a small town council in Poland for not wearing pants.
Winnie-the-Pooh, who has strong Winnipeg roots, has also been banned from the playground for not having a clear gender identity.
“The problem with that bear is it doesn’t have a complete wardrobe,” said Councillor Ryszard Cichy in a story published by the Croatian Times.
Pooh, for reasons that are obvious to anyone with common sense, doesn’t wear pants because he is a fictional cartoon bear.
“It is half naked which is wholly inappropriate for children.”
One official added: “It doesn’t wear underpants because it doesn’t have a sex. It’s a hermaphrodite.”
The origins of the bear trace back to Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, who purchased a bear cub from a hunter for $20 in White River, Ontario during the First World War. He named the bear “Winnie” after his adopted hometown of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman came to Winnie’s defence on Friday, saying other characters such as Donald Duck and Chip & Dale also don’t wear pants.
Ban #WinnieThePooh for not wearing pants?! Oh bother… What does that mean for these guys? pic.twitter.com/vWbEoyMI1s
— Brian Bowman (@BrianBowmanWpg) November 21, 2014
A treasured Wpg story-I hope that #WinnieThePooh cont’s to teach children about kindness & friendship for yrs to come pic.twitter.com/2fR6ZlLSk2
— Wpg Mayor’s Office (@Bowman4Wpg) November 21, 2014
