"To Attract Visitors"... Chinese Zoo Sparks Controversy by Dyeing Chow Chows

Zoo Officials Claim Legality

Reportedly, Five Dogs Have Been Dyed

A zoo in China has sparked controversy by dyeing Chow Chows to look like pandas in order to attract visitors.

According to Jiupai News, a Chinese media outlet, on the 23rd, a zoo in Shandong Province recently posted images on social media showing Chow Chows dyed to resemble pandas, which has provoked widespread outrage online. A zoo official told local media, "Currently, a total of five Chow Chows have been dyed," and responded to concerns about the animals' health by stating, "All of them are in good health."

A zoo in China is under controversy for dyeing Chow Chow dogs to look like pandas. According to China's Weibo.

This incident involves dyeing Chow Chows, a Chinese dog breed, to look like pandas. Their fur was trimmed short, and black dye was applied to parts of their faces and bodies to create a panda-like appearance.

The zoo revealed that it has been presenting these so-called "panda dogs" to visitors since May. A zoo representative explained, "We were inspired by exhibitions at other city zoos," adding, "Chow Chows are very popular among children and interact well with them, making the exhibit popular."

A zoo in China is facing controversy for dyeing a Chow Chow dog to look like a panda. According to China's Weibo.

A zoo in China dyed Chow Chows to look like pandas, causing controversy. According to China's Weibo.

The representative also claimed that the dyeing was done legally at a pet grooming salon, using legally registered products that are not harmful to the animals' health. They further emphasized that the cost of acquiring and dyeing Chow Chows is higher than many people might expect.

A local veterinarian cautioned that pet hair dye products contain a wide variety of ingredients and must be used with particular care. He said, "Even if they are advertised as natural products without harmful substances, a dog's skin is very sensitive, so allergic reactions and contact dermatitis can occur. Caution is needed."

This is not the first time controversy has arisen over dyeing Chow Chows at Chinese zoos. Previously, in 2024, a zoo in Jiangsu Province also dyed Chow Chows to look like pandas, leading to accusations of animal abuse. At the time, a zoo official explained, "We got the idea of dyeing dogs as pandas from the internet," and said that, because the zoo was small and could not bring in real pandas, they made this choice. He added, "We thought that if visitors enjoyed seeing the panda dogs, more people would come to the zoo, so we introduced them."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.