WATCH: Zoo in China paints Chow Chow dogs to look like pandas

Clarence Ford speaks to Barbara Friedman about what's trending online.

(Skip to 6.38 for this one.)

The Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province in China has some online users screaming in cringe and fury after unveiling its new 'panda dogs' to attract new crowds from 8 am to 5:30 pm.

On 1 May, as the zoo lacked pandas, the exhibit launched two small Chow Chow dogs dyed by zookeepers to look like pandas.

The Chow Chows, originally from northern China, had their fluffy fur trimmed before black and white dyes were added to their face and body.

A video of the dogs' debut has gone viral on Facebook, racking up 37 000 views and 1200 likes. 

While animal rights activists say it's cruel, some find the lookalikes 'so cute.'

Apparently, it's reported that the dyes used on these Chow Chows are natural and not harmful for pets.

A spokesperson for the zoo has spoken out saying, 'People also dye their hair. Natural dye can be used on dogs if they have long fur.'

This is not the first time Chow Chows were turned into something other than a dog for display.

"I had this memory in my mind that this wasn't the first time this happened. I was Googling away and found that in 2014 an Italian circus got into big trouble for disguising dogs as show pandas. This was an open and shut case and they got into big trouble for it."

- Barbara Friedman

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.