Family Guy: It's curtains for Brian Griffin

Family Guy's dog gets killed by a car.


In a move which has left viewers and long-time fans reeling in shock, the US animated comedy Family Guy has knocked off a member of the Griffin familly.
Brian, the family's beloved pooch, was killed in an episode which aired in the US this week.
The character has been voiced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane since the pilot episode, which was broadcast in 1999.

"We thought it could be a fun way to shake things up," executive producer Steve Callaghan told US media.

It had been suggested in the show's writer's room that a member of the family be killed off and after a length discussion it was decided that it would be Brian.
"It seemed more in the realm of a reality that a dog would get hit by a car," Callaghan said.
"As much as we love Brian, and as much as everyone loves their pets, we felt it would be more traumatic to lose one of the kids, rather than the family pet."
Compounding the surprise, the Griffins almost immediately adopted a new dog named Vinny, who is voiced by actor Tony Sirico (The Sopranos).