Infuriated over "pet modification"
- Thread starter CoyCoyote
- Start date
LMAO! Werd, yo. I bet that poor dog gets made fun of at the dog park behind his back. 
I find tattooing a dog for cosmetic purposes just the same as docking/cropping for cosmetic purposes... both don't really have any point beyond being aesthetic, but I find neither "SICK", nor do I find either abusive in any way; assuming that the dog is under anesthetic and given medication and care for any pain. Of course, a nice ear crop does look a lot better to the average person than a Hello Kitty tattoo, but it is all about perception.
As far as piercings... those creep me out, because I would be constantly worried about it snagging on something. Even us people get our piercings snagged on things all the time, and we have opposable thumbs to help us out! At least for the majority of those pictures, the holes were already there and the jewelry was put in for a photo-op, it seems.
I find tattooing a dog for cosmetic purposes just the same as docking/cropping for cosmetic purposes... both don't really have any point beyond being aesthetic, but I find neither "SICK", nor do I find either abusive in any way; assuming that the dog is under anesthetic and given medication and care for any pain. Of course, a nice ear crop does look a lot better to the average person than a Hello Kitty tattoo, but it is all about perception.
As far as piercings... those creep me out, because I would be constantly worried about it snagging on something. Even us people get our piercings snagged on things all the time, and we have opposable thumbs to help us out! At least for the majority of those pictures, the holes were already there and the jewelry was put in for a photo-op, it seems.
How can you not be a fan of Van Gogh!? *gaps* That is blasphemy right there that is.
Anyways, as for tats/piercings on animals. I'd never do it, and I really don't think it's the best idea. My concerns are mainly that it'd be done safely. I think a tattoo could be very beneficial but see no reason to put a dog under anesthesia specifically for that. I also don't see a reason to do a very large, elaborate tattoo on an animal. to me that is just too much unnecessary anesthesia. As for the piercings, I'd be concerned that they got ripped out, which could be very painful for the animal.
Anyways, as for tats/piercings on animals. I'd never do it, and I really don't think it's the best idea. My concerns are mainly that it'd be done safely. I think a tattoo could be very beneficial but see no reason to put a dog under anesthesia specifically for that. I also don't see a reason to do a very large, elaborate tattoo on an animal. to me that is just too much unnecessary anesthesia. As for the piercings, I'd be concerned that they got ripped out, which could be very painful for the animal.
As a "self ego mutilator" [on myself and others] I'm not going to comment on some of the things said, I agree with Dekka and Hillside but I'm going to leave it at that!
Anyway I'm just curious as to who would actually carry out these tattoos? I mean, if anaesthesia is used then I'm assuming it would be a vet. I don't know which is worse, somebody untrained administering anaesthetic, or a trained vet using anaesthetics properly but then actually doing a cosmetic tattoo.
I know one thing though..if I found out my vet was doing work like this I'd certainly never use them again, and the same goes for my tattooist.
Anyway I'm just curious as to who would actually carry out these tattoos? I mean, if anaesthesia is used then I'm assuming it would be a vet. I don't know which is worse, somebody untrained administering anaesthetic, or a trained vet using anaesthetics properly but then actually doing a cosmetic tattoo.
I know one thing though..if I found out my vet was doing work like this I'd certainly never use them again, and the same goes for my tattooist.
I should have been a little bit more clear... I wasn't saying that today's working dogs are docked/cropped for no reason. I was saying that today people do that just to adhere to breed standard. If the dog is still an actual working dog then there's the same reason to do it as there was when the breed first started.
also, IMO dogs that are shown have no reason to be docked/cropped other than to conform to breed standards. Now, I have nothing against the people who show these dogs because everyone loves their breed for it's personality and some people show and work them. But (again IMO) the only dogs that really need to be docked/cropped are working dogs. That practice(docking/croping) came about because it was done to the breed to help it's working ability and that's why it became breed standard.
I guess I would sum up my feelings like this . . . We all have to make choices for our pets that they can't make for themselves. What to feed them . . . where to exercise them . . . when to take them to the vet. Sometimes we have to make decisions things that cause them discomfort or that change their bodies. That could be anything from implanting a microchip to docking a tail to spaying to amputating a severely injured leg.
Sometimes there are arguments among pet owners about when to spay/neuter, how often to give vaccines, whether people should dock/crop etc. People disagree on these matters. But no matter what decisions an individual pet owner makes, he bases them on what he believes is best and healthiest.
This kind of body modification, decorative tattoos, is different; it has nothing to do with the pet, except insofar as it can serve as a vehicle for the owner's beliefs. That someone would be willing to put their dog under anethetic, expose the dog to the after-effects of pain and tenderness, and risk infection . . . for no good reason . . . well, I think that's pretty sad. Buy a bumper sticker or get a tattoo on your own body if you like a certain band or movie. Don't foist it on your pet.
(That's the generic "you" and "your", not refering to anyone on the board. )
Sometimes there are arguments among pet owners about when to spay/neuter, how often to give vaccines, whether people should dock/crop etc. People disagree on these matters. But no matter what decisions an individual pet owner makes, he bases them on what he believes is best and healthiest.
This kind of body modification, decorative tattoos, is different; it has nothing to do with the pet, except insofar as it can serve as a vehicle for the owner's beliefs. That someone would be willing to put their dog under anethetic, expose the dog to the after-effects of pain and tenderness, and risk infection . . . for no good reason . . . well, I think that's pretty sad. Buy a bumper sticker or get a tattoo on your own body if you like a certain band or movie. Don't foist it on your pet.
(That's the generic "you" and "your", not refering to anyone on the board.
)
I knew a guy with an AmBull in college, and his dog had a simple ear stud. I admit it...I thought it looked awesome. I'd never do that to my dog, but that's just because it's my personal preference.
IMHO, I can't get offended or horrified at people who do that. It's too hypocritical. I'm the one who had my dogs' and cats' nuts cut off simply to make my life easier. *shrug* How can I get mad at somebody who gives their dog a pinprick hole in the ear? And both tattooing and an ear stud are a heck of a lot less life-altering for a dog than spaying/neutering.
Granted, a lot of it depends on the type of piercing. Some types of piercing are a lot more painful and potetially health-damaging than others. And with tattooing, they'd better put the dog under if they're doing it. Tattooing certainly isn't painless, and it lasts more than a brief moment.
For me, it's kind of like people who dress their dogs in full wardrobes every day, including pajamas. I don't see the harm, but I don't see the point, either.
IMHO, I can't get offended or horrified at people who do that. It's too hypocritical. I'm the one who had my dogs' and cats' nuts cut off simply to make my life easier. *shrug* How can I get mad at somebody who gives their dog a pinprick hole in the ear? And both tattooing and an ear stud are a heck of a lot less life-altering for a dog than spaying/neutering.
Granted, a lot of it depends on the type of piercing. Some types of piercing are a lot more painful and potetially health-damaging than others. And with tattooing, they'd better put the dog under if they're doing it. Tattooing certainly isn't painless, and it lasts more than a brief moment.
For me, it's kind of like people who dress their dogs in full wardrobes every day, including pajamas. I don't see the harm, but I don't see the point, either.
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