Parents have said they were left ‘shocked’ after discovering a children’s book series contained a link that took its readers to a pornographic website.
Andrew Cope’s much-loved Spy Dog series was removed from schools after it was found the link – which previously led people to the author’s website – had been hijacked.
A message of the back of the book read: ‘Discover even more about Lara, Spud, and Star. Meet them at their OFFICIAL WEBSITE’, followed by the link.
The publisher of the series, Puffin, said the link had ‘very recently’ been acquired by an unknown third party, and it is not known how long it has been compromised for.
Parents are now being urged to check their children’s books from home for the dodgy link, which featured adult pictures and videos featuring characters from children’s books and TV.
One parent, who has two children at primary school in Surrey, told Metro she was taken aback when she heard the news.
She said: ‘I was very shocked to hear about what has happened with the Spy Dog books this morning. This could have caused a lot of issues, so it’s lucky it has come to light.’
Another parent, who also has two children at a different primary school in the area, said luckily her children weren’t able to access the website, so weren’t affected. She told Metro: ‘My children are too young to know how to type a website address into an tablet or computer to look at it.’
She added ‘It’s helpful that the schools were informed and they let us know swiftly.’
The Spy Dog page on Penguin Books’ own website still appears when searched, with the statement ‘Gripping, funny, adventure fiction with brilliant illustrations throughout — boys and girls aged 7+ won’t be able to put it down!’
However, when clicked, the books page seems to have been removed.
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In a statement signed by the publisher and the author, Puffin said that the link can be seen in multiple editions of the series.
‘In some editions of the Spy Dog, Spy Cat and Spy Pups series there is a reference to the author, Andrew Cope’s, former website for the series which was owned and managed by him,’ they said.
‘We understand an unconnected third party has very recently taken control of the domain name and is using it to display a different website with inappropriate adult content.
‘This website is not associated with Puffin or Andrew Cope. We are asking people not to visit the website and ensure that children do not visit it either.’
The statement continued: ‘We are taking this extremely seriously and are acting on this issue as a matter of urgency through the appropriate channels to get this website removed.
‘This is an in-depth and complex legal process and will take time. In addition we have immediately paused on the sale and distribution of the books whilst we deal with this matter.
‘We are currently working with retail and education and library partners to remove the books from the shelves for the time being.’
Cope’s team at United Agents have not responded to Metro’s request for comment at this time.
The Spy Dog series won the Redhouse Children’s Book of the Year back in 2006, and the Richard and Judy Book Club ‘Developing 7+’ category.
The series chronicles the adventures of Lara, a clever and skilled dog, bred by the British Secret Service to be a special agent. She undertakes special missions and stops criminal plots, while trying to keep her secret agent life hidden from the world.
Cope has published many other children’s books with different publishers, such as ‘Raccoon Rampage’ for HarperCollins, and most recently released LADULT, a guide ‘from boy to man’ that went on shelves in July.
Cope’s Spy Dog series has sold almost 300,000 copies in the UK alone. The series is also published internationally and can be found on shelves in Australia. It is not clear whether or not book printed outside of the UK have been affected.
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