Here's one for NightSkyeB4Dawn and Violet Dove!
Quote:PANDA-MONIUM China zoo slammed for painting dogs to look like PANDAS afterArchived Sun Article:
being forced to admit animals were dyed chow chows
It comes after a cute black pup became completely white due to its rare condition
'A China zoo has been slammed for painting dogs to look like pandas in a bid to draw in crowds.
The rubbish dye job was quickly spotted before the Taizhou Zoo forced to admit the animals were
chow chows instead.
Squint and they're Pandas.
A picture of a ticket shared on social media included a snap of the "new species" as the zoo charged
£2.25 ($2.83) to see them during China's Labour Day holiday. Tens of thousands of people visited the
"panda dogs" every day from May 1 to May 5, Chinese media Jiupai News reports.
Clips taken by visitors appeared to show the pups with black ears, limbs, and dark circles around their
eyes, but their canine features were still very much apparent. The dyed pets sparked a wave of complaints
against Taizhou Zoo as furious visitors claimed they were mislead into believing they would see real pandas.
They also also questioned whether painting the pups would constitute animal abuse as some dyes might
contain harmful chemicals. Taizhou Zoo later admitted that the "fake pandas" were in fact dyed chow chow
pups who debuted their new look for the national holiday.
But despite the the confusing name, the zoo didn't seem to be trying to fool guests into thinking the dogs
were real pandas. A signboard with pictures of "panda dogs" was put up at the zoo, indicating that the
name is typically used to describe little dogs that, either naturally or by grooming, can resemble pandas.
A staff member said the zoo got the idea of dyeing the dogs into pandas online.
They told Jiangsu News: "This way, we will be able to add more fun into the zoo and boost footfall."
The staff explained that the zoo's relatively limited size prevented it from housing real giant pandas.
As for dyeing the dogs, they also did not see any ethical concerns, saying: "Normal individuals also
dye their hair. "As such, if dogs grow out their hair, they could also dye it. This is the same as human
hair."
The employee went on to say that the zoo did not charge extra to visit the "panda dogs".
Tickets for adults cost 20 yuan (£2.25), while tickets for children who are taller than 1.4m cost 10 yuan
(£1.12. $1.57)
Chow chows are a unique breed known for their distinctive lion-like mane. They are quite popular in China,
as they are one of the oldest and most iconic breeds originating from the country. Chow chows hold a
special place in Chinese culture and history, often depicted in art and literature.
While their popularity may have fluctuated over time, they remain a symbol of nobility and prestige in
Chinese society. Meanwhile, another zoo in China got itself in deep trouble after trying to pass a dog as
a ferocious lion. Visitors were enraged to discover that an animal in one of the cages was actually a chow
chow, despite a clearly placed sign claiming otherwise.
After taking her six-year-old son to the zoo, Sharon Liu told The Orient Today newspaper that she was
trying to teach him all the noises the animals make, but all she heard was barking. She said: "To use
a dog to impersonate a lion is definitely an insult to tourists." It comes after a black dog turned completely
white due to a rare condition, leaving its owner stunned by the shocking transformation...'
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