Insufficient Funds for Tigers? Jiangsu Zoo Dyes Dogs as "Tiger Dogs" to Attract Visitors Faces Backlash

A zoo in Jiangsu Province, China, has sparked outrage after it dyed two Chow Chow dogs to resemble tigers in an attempt to attract visitors. The Qinhu Bay Forest Animal Kingdom, located in Taizhou, faced backlash after a video surfaced on Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok), showing the painted dogs parading in their enclosure.

During a live stream on January 24, 2025, the zoo claimed, "Our tigers are huge and very fierce!" However, viewers quickly pointed out that the animals were not tigers at all but rather dogs dyed in black and orange stripes. Following the exposure, zoo staff admitted that the dogs were indeed dyed and that this was not their first such stunt; previously, they had painted the same dogs black and white to mimic pandas.

The zoo justified its actions by stating that the dye used was plant-based and safe for pets, claiming there was no risk to the dogs' health. They also mentioned that specially assigned caretakers were responsible for looking after the "tiger dogs." Despite these assurances, many social media users criticized the zoo's marketing tactics as deceptive and harmful. Comments included concerns about whether the dogs were bathed for fear of washing out the dye and humorous remarks about the dogs' temperaments resembling those of real tigers.

"A big tiger with a dog-like temper," one user quipped.

Veterinary experts noted that while pets typically do not face health risks from dyeing as long as they do not lick their fur, the process can still damage their hair, skin, or follicles—similar to human hair dyeing. Therefore, they advised against pet owners dyeing their animals.

This incident is part of a troubling trend in Chinese zoos where animals have been painted to resemble other species for publicity. Previous cases included dogs being dyed to look like pandas, raising ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and authenticity in zoo exhibits.