Zoo dyes dogs black and white to look like pandas

A zoo in China dyed two Chow Chow dogs black and white to make them look like panda bears.

The dogs have been on display at Taizhou Zoo in the eastern province of Jiangsu since May 1 and – not surprisingly – have caused a bit of a furore.

Chinese state media has accused the zoo of trying to deceive visitors into thinking the animals are actual pandas.

Zoo officials told state media the Chow Chows – a fluffy dog breed originally from northern China – were painted to look like giant pandas but the zoo wasn’t trying to fool anyone.

They said the dogs are labelled as ‘panda dogs’, making it clear they are not real panda bears.

Video footage shared online shows the ‘panda dogs’ wagging their tale, something you’re unlikely to see a real panda do.

Meanwhile people on social media said dying a dog’s fur is cruel.

‘It is not funny at all to dye Chow Chow dogs to attract tourists,’ one commenter wrote on the social media platform Weibo.

‘Their fragile skin and naturally thick coats make them susceptible to skin diseases.’

Taizhou Zoo, however, denied it had a negative affect on dogs, telling Qilu Evening News: ‘Normal people dye their hair.

‘Dogs can dye their hair, too. It’s the same as hair.’

Pandas are native to China and an international symbol of the country.

Last year, Hangzhou Zoo, in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, had to issue a statement insisting its sun bears were not humans in costume.

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