Hairless Dog With Full-Back Tattoo Sparks Outrage at Shanghai Pet Fair

Viral Photos Shock Animal Lovers

The images, taken at the Asian Pet Fair held at the New International Expo Center in Shanghai, show a hairless dog with a striking full-back tattoo. The design, a dragon sprawling across the dog’s spine and stretching down its limbs, made the animal one of the fair’s most talked-about attractions.

The dog’s owner reportedly boasted about the tattoo, claiming his pet did not need anesthesia due to a “high tolerance for pain.” To complete the controversial display, the animal also wore a thick gold chain and even a wristwatch on one of its front legs.

Ethical Concerns Over “Art”

While some attendees initially saw the tattoo as a spectacle, backlash quickly spread online once the images circulated on Chinese social media platforms like Douyin. Many animal lovers condemned the act, calling it cruel and unnecessary.

Veterinary experts emphasized that tattoos are never harmless for animals: “From a veterinary standpoint, it is unethical. A tattoo is still a wound, and the skin of dogs is thinner and more sensitive than that of humans,” explained one professional quoted in local media.

Calls for Accountability

Animal advocates are demanding answers from both the dog’s owner and the fair organizers. Questions remain about whether the tattooed dog was formally invited as part of the event or used as a publicity stunt to attract attention.

Social media users also called for stronger animal protection regulations in China to prevent similar cases of cosmetic modification. “This is not culture, this is cruelty,” wrote one commenter, echoing the outrage of thousands online.

Tattooing Pets: A Dangerous Trend

While tattooing and dyeing pets for aesthetics have occasionally appeared in parts of Asia and Russia, veterinarians warn the practice is highly dangerous. Unlike identification tattoos—which are applied under anesthesia by professionals—cosmetic tattoos serve no medical purpose and expose animals to extreme pain, infections, and long-term trauma.