"Looks Like Fubao" Chinese Zoo's 'Panda Dog' Gains Attention... Animal Abuse Controversy Also Arises

Native Chinese Dog Songsxuan Dyed Like Panda
"Introduced to Add Fun and Increase Users"

A zoo in China has attracted attention by unveiling a 'Panda Dog' that closely resembles a panda. The native Chinese dog breed Shongxuan (Chow Chow) was dyed to look like a panda, sparking criticism from some quarters accusing it of animal abuse.

According to Hongxing News and others on the 6th, the Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province set up a signboard printed with photos of the Panda Dog and the phrase 'Panda Dog Meeting' starting from the 1st. The 'Panda Dog,' which resembles a panda in appearance and walks like a puppy wagging its tail, is so popular that visitors have to line up in long queues to see it.

Panda dog at Taizhou Zoo, Jiangsu Province, China.
[Photo by Weibo]

According to the official profile written by the zoo, a Panda Dog refers to a dog that is either born with a fur pattern similar to a panda or groomed in such a style. It has black spots on a white fur base, with black areas around the eyes and ears resembling a panda.

A representative from Taizhou Zoo said, "The Panda Dog is a Shongxuan dyed to look like a panda," adding, "The idea to dye dogs as pandas was obtained from the internet."

He continued, "Our zoo is small, so we cannot bring in real pandas," explaining, "We introduced the Panda Dog to add fun to the zoo and increase visitors."

Regarding the animal abuse controversy raised by a netizen, he retorted, "People dye their hair, so if dogs have fur, can't they be dyed too?"

In this regard, a veterinarian stated, "Like humans, dyeing pets can damage hair, skin, and hair follicles, so it is not recommended," but added, "If the pet does not lick its fur during the dyeing process, there is no major problem."

According to Hongxing News, a professional pet groomer said, "Healthy pets can have their fur dyed, but special dyes containing purely natural plant ingredients must be used."

Meanwhile, recently, pets dyed all over their bodies have been repeatedly captured by the media, sparking animal abuse controversies. On December 27, 2022 (local time), a pet dyed in the same color as Pikachu, a character from the popular Japanese anime Pok?mon, was spotted at a U.S. professional basketball (NBA) game, causing controversy.

The puppy caught on the game broadcast camera was dyed yellow all over, with black tips on the ears and red cheeks, and was held in its owner's arms.

One commentator said, "I don't think the puppy agreed to be dyed like that."

The international animal protection organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) also warned that dyeing can be dangerous for pets. According to PETA, dyes can cause severe allergic reactions or stress in pets, and may even cause burns or toxin exposure.

Many netizens reacted negatively to such dog dyeing. They left comments on internet communities such as "Clear animal abuse" and "The dog owner should be punished." On the other hand, some argued that since there are dog-specific dyes made from natural materials, excessive speculative criticism of owners should be restrained.

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