Photo: Screenshot from media reports

A zoo in China has sparked online debate after dyeing several Chow Chow dogs black and white to resemble pandas as a way to attract visitors. The zoo responded that the dogs were dyed by professionals using compliant pet-safe dyes and clearly labeled, with no deliberate attempt to mislead visitors, domestic media outlet Shangyou News reported.

The zoo, located in Qufu, East China's Shandong Province, showcased several black-and-white dyed Chow Chow dogs which looked like pandas in its livestreaming rooms, and kept them in enclosures to attract tourists, according to some online posts.

During the livestream, when viewers asked whether air conditioning had been turned on for the "pandas," the streamer avoided directly clarifying the animals' actual breed and gave an evasive reply that "they can stand the heat." It was only after a flood of comments urging staff to cool the "pandas" down that the streamer admitted the animals shown were dogs, Shangyou News reported.

When asked why the dogs were dyed that way, the streamer said they were "cosplaying" as pandas, the report said. Throughout the live broadcast, netizens also repeatedly raised concerns about the dyeing.

A staff member from the zoo explained that these "panda dogs" were introduced before the May Day holiday this year to add more fun for visitors as it currently does not have the qualifications to raise giant pandas.

The staff member said the zoo now has five such "panda dogs," and that they were aware that several other zoos across China had already introduced similar animals.

The dogs' panda-like black-and-white coats were not their natural fur color, and the zoo had not applied random unregulated dyes itself, said the staff member, adding:"We sent the dogs to professional pet grooming salons for the dye treatment." 

The salons used dyes that are specifically approved for pets, and the materials used had all gone through the necessary registration procedures with documentation provided to the zoo, according to the staff.

The incident has triggered widespread discussion online. Many commented on Chinese social media platform Weibo that even legally permitted dyes can irritate and harm dogs' skin, while others criticized the zoo for resorting to "unscrupulous tactics" purely for its online views and profit.

The staff also clarified that the zoo has prominently posted a sign reading "panda dog" to let visitors know their actual breed. However, regarding the zoo's claim, the Shangyou News quoted Mo, who had visited the zoo, as saying she had initially assumed that "panda dog" was an actual breed, and she believed that the zoo's marketing approach was not advisable.

Global Times