Black rag dolls meant to be abused are pulled from stores

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Black rag dolls meant to be abused have been pulled from three stores in New Jersey after customers and a state lawmaker said they were offensive.

The "Feel Better Doll" featured instructions to "find a wall" and slam the doll against it.

The president of One Dollar Zone says roughly 1,000 dolls were pulled from its store in Bayonne (bay-AHN') and two others this week.

Democratic Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, whose district includes Bayonne, is calling the dolls "offensive" and "inappropriate."

One Dollar Zone President Ricky Shah said the Paterson-based company didn't adequately check a large lot of closeout merchandise before distributing the items.

The dolls' manufacturer, the Harvey Hutter Co., couldn't be reached by phone or email at its location just north of New York City and appeared to be out of business.