[Frodogzzz]

Their appetites for new fashions and trends continues unabated.
But the Chinese may have taken the West's love of pets just a step too far.
Recent figures show money spent on pets across the nation has seen nearly a 500 per cent increase between 1999 and 2008 - but, arguably, at the cost of their pets' dignity.



Walk on the wild side: A woman walks her coloured dogs in Wuhan, Hubei province

As these pictures from Wuhan in central China's Hubei province show, pet owners are taking their beloved dogs to grooming parlours where the poor creatures are not just given a shampoo and cut - but a full-on, multi-coloured fur job.
So the animals don't just emerge polished and primped but transformed with coats in hues of hot pink, mustard, emerald green and Prussian blue.
The pictures have come in the same week as China drafted its first law on animal protection.



Puppy love: Owners hold their beloved pooches after they are finished in the grooming parlour


Dog's dinner: The poodle's ears are wrapped in foil after the dye is applied to its fur

Under the proposed law, anyone guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to 6,000 yuan ($877) and spend two weeks in prison.
The proposal will be submitted to China's State Council by the end of the year.

As part of strict measures to manage and control the animal population in the country, the draft law makes it compulsory for data chips to be implanted in pets to track down their owners in case the animals are found abandoned.
But in the case of these crazily-coloured creatures, it's unlikely they will be abandoned - the animals will have probably run out the front door of their owners' homes and headed for the hills!


Going green: A dog is held up by its owner as the parlour staff member applies green and yellow dye


An unlikely tail: As well as being dyed, the dogs are also given strange hair cuts


Technicolour dog coat: A poodle is clipped to perfection after its dye job http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...reamcoats.html

[Enladalusange]

I think its ridiculous and sick, but not really cruel if its not causing any real harm to the animal. They do a lot worse to animals in those parts of the world.

[Frodogzzz]

I agree. Though its beyond foolish, its far from cruel.

[zenihan]

I would never consider but I think that last poodle looks awesome lol

[Encannavalf]

Those pictures make me kinda nauseous.

[GenManagerS]

Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh at some of those pics. I have to admit bright colors do appeal to me, as well as shiny objects... But I would never, ever do that to an animal. I may have turned my hair into some off the wall colors back in the day, but damn, these poor dogs don't even get a say in what color they like!

[chadnezzrr]

hahaha y'all are gonna hate me when i accidentally spill some food coloring into his shampoo and turn boo radley into blue radley.

[GenManagerS]

Haha. Make sure it's pet friendly!

[Vulkanevsel]

I paint Snacks toenails.

[nushentelve]

As long as the dye doesn't contain anything toxic, I would say it isn't cruel.

I'd say it's TACKY.

[Hixinfineedom]

that rainbow poodle looks hilarious! poor dogs lol

[Scfdglkn]

Cruel? No. Ridiculous? Yes

[Gudronich]

I once had a friend with a pink cat, the cat loved it and was very sad when he turned back to white.

[pMJWFoAWD]

I don't think it's cruel but it sure is ridiculous!! Whatever floats their boat huh? I couldn't imagine being the animal caked up with all that coloring blech. Must be traditional? Who knows. People are weird. Oh yeah it IS tacky as well - lol.

[radicalvolume]

I Dont Agree With Dying An Animals Hair Or Dressing Them Up For That. But Whatever Floats Your Boat

[zenihan]

I paint Snacks toenails.

lmao!

[pMJWFoAWD]

lmao!

Well that isn't cruel to do that. A lot of people paint their dogs toe-nails but coloring their fur for personal amusement is a little over the top.

[wrenjmerg]

In Indiana, it's illegal to dye your dogs. I'm not sure about other states.

[Frodogzzz]

In Indiana, it's illegal to dye your dogs. I'm not sure about other states.

Seriously? Im not sure whats funnier, the fact that they felt the need to make such a law or that people did it so much the law had to intervene!

[wrenjmerg]

Seriously? Im not sure whats funnier, the fact that they felt the need to make such a law or that people did it so much the law had to intervene!

It's illegal in Colorado too. Remember seeing an article a while back about an owner actually being fined for dying her poodle pink.