A zoo in China has unveiled a Panda Dog, a dog dyed to look like a panda. The subject of the transformation is a native Chinese breed, the Chow Chow. Some critics argue that this act constitutes animal abuse.
On the 6th, according to the Chinese Red Star News, the Jiangsu Taizhou Zoo has been promoting two Panda Dogs since the 1st of this month.
The Panda Dogs, which resemble pandas and wag their tails like puppies, are currently so famous that there are long lines to see them.
The zoo explained that a Panda Dog is a dog that either naturally has a fur pattern similar to a panda’s or has been groomed to have such a style. They have black spots like a panda on a white fur background, and the areas around their eyes and ears are black.
A representative from the Taizhou Zoo stated that the Panda Dogs are Chow Chows dyed to look like pandas, and they got the idea to dye the dogs like pandas from the internet.
They continued, “Our zoo is too small to bring in real pandas,” and “We introduced the Panda Dogs to add more fun to the zoo and attract more visitors.”
The practice of dyeing dogs has become controversial. According to the international animal rights organization PETA, dyes can cause severe allergic reactions in pets, stress them out, and potentially expose them to burns or toxins since animals have more vulnerable skins than humans consider.
In response to the controversy over dyeing as a form of animal abuse, the zoo argued, “Why can’t dogs be dyed even when people dye their hair?”
According to Red Star News, a professional pet groomer stated, “Healthy pets can have their fur dyed, but they should only use special dyes that contain pure natural plant ingredients.”
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