Painting Dogs to Look Like Tigers to Attract Tourists Criticized at a Zoo in Jiangsu, China

In Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, a zoo has been caught painting Chow Chow dogs to look like tigers in an attempt to attract visitors, a move that has left people both amused and puzzled. After the news went viral online, netizens criticized the zoo for this deceptive practice. Interestingly, another zoo in Taizhou had previously dyed Chow Chow dogs to resemble pandas as a marketing gimmick to draw more tourists.

According to a report by the New York Post, the zoo named “Qinhu Lake Forest Animal Kingdom” recently live-streamed two orange-colored Chow Chows with black stripes, pretending to be “tigers,” roaming around in a fenced enclosure. However, it was apparent to the naked eye that they were not actual tigers but dogs disguised with paint.

The zoo admitted on social media that they dyed the Chow Chow dogs to mimic the appearance of tigers as a means to attract visitors, ensuring that this practice would not harm the dogs’ health.

Information from the Taizhou City Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau website indicated that the “Qinhu Lake Forest Animal Kingdom” began trial operations on August 20 last year. The zoo covers an area of approximately 600 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife species.

Regarding the zoo’s decision to dye dogs as tigers, some netizens commented, “They must be afraid to give their dogs a bath, fearing they will change color.” Others questioned the potential health risks posed by dyeing agents to the dogs.

This incident of coloring dogs to resemble other animals is not isolated. Similar occurrences have transpired in other zoos on the mainland, including the Taizhou Zoo, also located in Taizhou City.

In a previous report by Da Ji Yuan, the Taizhou Zoo showcased two “panda dogs” on May 1 last year. While they appeared like pandas, they were actually Chow Chow dogs dyed to look like the iconic bears.

Despite public outcry accusing the Taizhou Zoo of deception, regulatory authorities in Taizhou claimed that since the zoo did not label the “panda dogs” as pandas, it did not constitute deception but was merely a marketing strategy of a zoo that lacks the qualifications to introduce pandas.

Chow Chows, native to northern China, are one of the oldest dog breeds known for their likeness to lions in their facial appearance. Previously, a pet café in Sichuan Province had also dyed Chow Chows to resemble pandas to attract customers.