Man Kicked Out of Pet Fair After Boasting About Tattooing Dog Without Anaesthesia

A hairless dog covered in vibrant tattoos at Pet Fair Asia in Shanghai has triggered widespread public backlash after its owner admitted the dog was tattooed without the use of anaesthesia.

On August 22, a video from the event, one of Asia’s largest gatherings in the pet industry, surfaced online, showing a tattooed Mexican hairless dog of unknown age.

According to SCMP, the footage revealed a detailed dragon tattoo stretching from the dog’s back to its front legs. The dog was also accessorised with a gold chain and a wristwatch.

Witnesses reported that the owner actively invited people to take photos and openly stated that the tattooing was done without anaesthetic. At one point, he lifted the dog by the scruff of its neck and told the crowd, “See? It doesn’t hurt at all. It can’t feel a thing.”

Despite the owner’s claims, many visitors took to social media to criticise the tattooing, saying the dog showed clear signs of distress.

“It looked scared the entire time,” one user commented.

Another added, “It wouldn’t even eat treats offered by other vendors.” Some attendees also claimed they noticed injuries on the dog’s legs.

Initially reluctant, the dog’s owner eventually agreed to have the tattoo done at a pet hospital, insisting that the Mexican hairless breed has a higher pain threshold.

According to Lv, the tattoo artist, the owner claimed the dog was like a child to him and believed a tattoo would make it look “cooler.” At the time, Lv said he didn’t view it as animal cruelty but was concerned about the dog’s post-procedure recovery.

Lv stated that single-use equipment was used and discarded afterward, and that the dog was given a liquid anaesthetic injection before the tattooing began. During the procedure, the owner tried to comfort the dog, while a vet managed disinfection and offered guidance.

“I sincerely apologise if the dog or anyone online was harmed or upset. That was never my intention,” Lv said.

Another tattoo artist expressed skepticism that any dog could tolerate the repeated pain of tattoo needles. Following the public backlash, event organisers barred the dog’s owner from returning to the venue.

Lv told Phoenix Publishing and Media Group that the tattoo was actually done in June of the previous year. He explained that areas with thinner skin, such as the wrist, are much more painful due to having less fat and more nerve endings.

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