“Harry Potter” star Emma Watson, criticized in the past for wearing fur, is sure to rile animal activists, again, for dying her one-year-old bichon frise dog hot pink, like a certain D-List celebrity.
It’s illegal in about 30 states in the United States to dye animals. A woman in Colorado was prosecuted and fined in 2008 for dyeing her dog. But it’s apparently legal in Britain, although scorned by animal rights groups.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) tried to bring charges against a woman in Swindon-Wilthire two years ago for dying her cat hot pink. But authorities refused to charge her.
Watson was spotted on a London street with her one-year-old bichon frise Darcy on a leash. It’s fur was bright pink. But the British star potentially would be breaking the law in Los Angeles and possibly in New York City where its against the law to sell dyed chicks and rabbits.
Jersey Shore star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was recently spotted walking BFF Jennifer “JWoww” Farley’s dogs, dyed pink and purple, drawing a protest from PETA, formally known as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“Dyeing a companion animal’s fur causes the animal stress and can lead to complications or allergic reactions that endanger the animal’s health,” a rep for PETA told Celebuzz. “Our dogs and cats love us regardless of how we look; we should extend the same kindness to them.”
The Florida Legislature in April overturned a 45-year-old ban on dyeing animals, causing outrage among animal rights groups, according to The New York Times. Such laws were originally meant to protect baby chicks and rabbits.
“This law has protected thousands of animals from neglect and abuse, and it shouldn’t be lifted on the whim of one dog groomer who wants to dye poodles purple,” said Don Anthony of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida.
Pet authorities say pets can be physically harmed from exposure to pet dyes, and the dyeing process can be stressful. Animals constantly groom themselves with their tongues and ingest much of the dye in the process.
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