Mexican Hairless Dog With Tattoos Angers Netizens
CHINA – A Mexican hairless dog covered in colorful tattoos sparked outrage at Pet Fair Asia in Shanghai after videos of the animal circulated online.
What seemed like playful drawings turned out to be real tattoos, shocking many attendees. The dog, which was also wearing a gold chain and even a wristwatch on its paw, bore a large dragon tattoo stretching from its back to its limbs.
The controversy grew when the owner proudly told visitors that the procedure was done without anesthesia, claiming the dog felt no pain. He even lifted the dog by the skin of its neck to prove his point, saying, “It does not hurt at all.” However, witnesses said the animal appeared terrified and refused to eat treats, showing clear signs of distress. Some even noticed wounds on its paws.
The owner further angered the crowd by offering to arrange tattoos for other people’s pets. Animal rights advocates and netizens condemned the act, calling it a clear case of animal abuse. In response, event organizers banned the dog’s owner from future fairs.
The tattoo artist, identified as Lv, later admitted he had carried out the procedure in June 2024. At first, he refused, but the owner insisted, claiming the breed was less sensitive to pain. Eventually, Lv agreed and performed the tattoo at a pet hospital. Contrary to the owner’s claims, Lv said he did use an anesthetic injection and disposable tools, with a veterinarian present for disinfection. He explained that the owner treated the dog like his “child” and wanted it to “look cooler.”
After facing backlash, Lv issued a public apology, saying the harm was unintentional. Still, he was heavily criticized by fellow tattoo artists and netizens, who stressed that tattoos can be extremely painful, especially on thin-skinned areas like the wrist. Many online commenters denounced both the owner and the artist, pointing out that the dog’s inability to speak made it an easy victim of exploitation.