Chow Chow puppies painted as tigers? Here’s how visitors reacted when the Chinese zoo admitted the deception

A zoo in China got into trouble after it was discovered that they had painted dogs to look like tigers. The Qinhu Bay Forest Animal Kingdom in Taizhou faced criticism when a video showed a Chow Chow puppy with stripes like a tiger.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the controversy started when a video posted on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, showed a dog playing in a wooden pen. The dog, with orange and black stripes, made many people believe it was a tiger. However, it was soon discovered that the animal was actually a Chow Chow puppy, dyed to look like a tiger.


As the video went viral, people quickly noticed the trick. Some joked that the zoo might try to pass off another animal next year, while others were shocked by the stunt.

As per media reports, after the online backlash, the zoo admitted to the deception. The Qinhu Bay Forest Animal Kingdom confirmed that the "tiger" in the video was actually a Chow Chow dog, dyed with fake tiger stripes. They also revealed that two other dogs, usually white, were similarly altered to look like tigers.

The zoo defended its actions, saying the dyeing was meant to entertain and attract visitors. They assured everyone that the process was done carefully and did not harm the animals.

According to the reports, this isn’t the first time a Chinese zoo has faced criticism for misleading animal displays. In a similar case, the Shanwei Zoo was criticized for painting dogs to look like pandas. Both incidents show a trend of using animals in attention-grabbing stunts, raising concerns about the ethics behind such practices.

The discovery of the dyed dogs has sparked a discussion about animal welfare and ethics. While the zoo claims the animals weren’t harmed, many people believe it’s wrong to alter animals for entertainment. Critics argue that zoos should prioritize education and conservation, not tricks that deceive the public.

As per sources, on the other hand, some visitors defended the zoo, saying the animals didn’t seem distressed and no lasting harm was done. However, most people seem disappointed, with many questioning the zoo’s methods.

The controversy has led to a broader debate about the ethics of animal displays in modern zoos. While some think these gimmicks are harmless and just a way to attract more visitors, others feel they undermine the zoo’s role in education and conservation.

This incident also calls attention to the need for greater transparency and responsibility in how animals are presented to the public. With growing concerns over animal welfare, it’s clear that there needs to be more consideration about the ethics behind such stunts.