Three Chow Chows - dyed black to resemble pandas - was all the craze this week. Depending on who you ask, dyeing the Chow Chows was either trendy or a travesty.

People who were against the dye job called it cruel, citing irritants and chemicals that might harm the dogs’ health. The owner, miffed at the "moral crusade" of "hypocrites" insists that there was nothing wrong about the dye job, and that accusations of cruelty were unfounded, given that the Chows live in absolute luxury - in Sentosa island.

Perhaps animal lovers against the Panda Chow Chows have missed the point. Dyeing animals in unusual colours and patterns is a practice that has been around for quite a long time - in 2012, Harry Potter star Emma Watson was seen parading a pink dog to raise awareness for breast cancer. A Russian writer dyed her cat pink, only to be flamed by the Internet after a hoax circulated that the cat died.

But this time, the publicity stunt was solely for the benefit of Chows’ owner, Meng Jiang. Meng set up a business a month ago marketing photoshoots with her panda-lookalikes.

Aren't we just a handsome bunch! Thank you @flypixar for this gorgeous pic, you are seriously talented and we just love posing for you...and of course licking your face ?????? #photoshoot #pandas# #pandachowchows #chowchowsofinstagram #singapore

A photo posted by Panda Chow Chows (@pandachowchows) on Feb 4, 2016 at 4:36am PST

My beef as an "animal welfare hypocrite" is that Meng, along with the other supporters she has - has a warped sense of beauty and aesthetic.

This same aesthetic is why the pet industry has grown so big. Grooming is not just a trendy thing; society sees it as a must for all pet owners so that their pet wins Instagram likes. It is also why people are willing to spend money to own a pet, instead of adopting from shelters, and also why people believe that they can just abandon their pets and get away with it.

This aesthetic was what drove a cat cafe owner to appeal its fans to write to the authorities to house more cats, while not disclosing the deaths of seven cats under his care.

It is what drives backyard breeders to sell kittens and puppies for a profit. It is what drives trends that may be detrimental to some pets.

Fortunately, the authorities are stepping in. The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has said that it is looking into the case of three chow chows which were dyed to look like pandas and put up for rental.

However, we need to stop promoting this sort of trend.

Sure, Meng has the right to do whatever she wants to do to her dogs. But perhaps we, as discerning viewers and consumers, need to understand what we are promoting when we support businesses like hers. Ultimately, the Chows are a symbol of our warped relationship with nature and animals.

There are better things to do with your money and your time.

Donate your money to charity. Spend it on social enterprises. Volunteer. Sure, spare a like if you want for Meng’s dogs; but a like is all she deserves.

Top photo from here.

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