cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/11618175

Zoo defends ‘panda’ exhibit after criticism for using dogs dyed black and white

On May 1, the zoo drew large crowds of excited animal lovers as it prepared to unveil a new attraction.

When the zoo revealed the animals, visitors were met with the sight of little four-legged creatures, with white faces and black spots around their eyes and ears - not unlike the colorings of a panda.

The only thing is, these creatures weren’t pandas. In fact, they were Chow Chows - a dog you might recognize from real life or social media, since they’re very much the opposite of a wild animal.

The spitz-type dogs originally come from northern China, and were presented at the zoo because the owners said they didn’t have any actual pandas to show visitors.

The owners were accused of trimming and dying the dogs to look like pandas, causing some backlash as locals accused the zoo of animal cruelty.

However, a spokesperson for the zoo hit back at the criticism as they pointed out that ‘people also dye their hair’.

  • weew@lemmy.ca
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    6 months ago

    What if they just had an entire zoo where every animal was just a dog with dyed fur

  • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de
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    6 months ago

    Honestly probably less cruel than keeping pandas in a cage. Dogs are domesticated and kinda used to having their freedom of movement restricted.

    • AmidFuror@fedia.io
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      6 months ago

      Dogs can be caged because we enslaved their ancestors and restricted their reproductive choices for milennia? If we bred cows that wanted to be eaten, would that make their meat ethical? If you believe that, I’ve got a restaurant at the end of the universe to sell you.

      • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de
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        6 months ago

        I didnt say it that its not cruel to cage dogs. I said its less cruel than caging a panda because they are more used to it.

        I dont know if its fair to call it that, but dogs are probably still pretty “sad” about sitting inside doing nothing all day, especially when they are alone. If you have ever lived with a farm dog that was free to go out and wherever it wants 24/7 by itself, then indoor “incarcerated” dogs will seem like an empty shell to you.

      • Entropywins@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Upvote for the hitchhikers guide reference!!!

        I don’t know how accurate enslaving wolves is, though. It very well could have been a mutually beneficial relationship at the beginning.

  • dumbass@leminal.space
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    6 months ago

    Look when a Chinese zoo actually has the animals there and not just dyed dogs, then that will be news worthy, like at least twice a year a Chinese zoo gets called out for using dogs instead of the proper animals.