Greeting card mocking Whitney removed

New York - US retailer Target is pulling a greeting card that makes fun of the late singer Whitney Houston's penchant for bad boys.

The discounter said on Wednesday the card was sold in its stores prior to Houston's death on February 11, and as soon as it was brought to the retailer's attention, Target began "the process of removing the card".

The card reads: "Next time you think of dating the bad boy, consider Whitney Houston."

The text refers to Houston's rocky relationship with ex-husband and singer Bobby Brown. Brown has been blamed by some for Houston's reported drug use.

"It is never our intent to offend guests with the products we offer, and we take feedback from guests very seriously," said Target in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.

Houston, 48, was found dead hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party. No cause of death has been determined.