A dog breeder in the UK faced disappointment when attempting to register a puppy with the Kennel Club, only to be informed that their chosen name, "Jerusalem," was deemed unsuitable due

to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The breeder had selected the name "Jam and Jerusalem," a reference to a popular British sitcom and an affectionate nod to the Women’s Institute in England and Wales, renowned for its jam-making activities and the singing of the hymn Jerusalem.

Leo Barnett, hailing from Pinner, brought attention to the incident via a Facebook post, expressing concern over the decision's potential to cause offense. "Who is that name going to offend was the big question for me," Barnett remarked, highlighting the apparent lack of sensitivity in the decision-making process.

Upon being contacted by Jewish News, the Kennel Club promptly acknowledged the error, attributing it to a mistake made by a contractor who reviewed the application. The institution swiftly reversed the decision, clarifying that the contractor responsible was based in the UK.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Kennel Club apologized for the misjudgment, emphasizing that the rejection stemmed from human error in interpreting which words are permissible. The Club reiterated that there are no prohibitions against the use of place names, with guidelines primarily aimed at avoiding combinations that could potentially be construed as offensive.

The incident drew comparisons to a previous occurrence earlier in the year, where staff at a private company working with the Home Office faced suspension after scribbling out the word "Israel" on a birth certificate.

With the issue resolved, the puppy, now officially registered as Jam and Jerusalem, can hopefully enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life, free from any further bureaucratic hurdles. Photo by audrey_sel, Wikimedia commons.