Dog owners slammed over cruel new viral trend…
These influencers needs to be put in the doghouse.
A disturbing new TikTok trend — where clueless owners dump buckets of ice water on their unsuspecting pups — is drawing widespread outrage from animal lovers, who are barking mad over what they call a “cruel” and “appalling” stunt.
The so-called “#barkyourmindchallenge” is a twisted take on the recently-revived ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that first soaked the web a decade in the past, raising awareness for a neurodegenerative illness.
A bone-chilling TikTok trend has clueless canine owners dumping ice water on their unsuspecting pups — and livid animal lovers are howling over the “cruel” stunt. TIkTok/@chrisheern
But as an alternative of chilling themselves for a good trigger, some brain-frozen pet owners are drenching their canines — all for the sake of a few likes.
“Dousing an unsuspecting dog with water is an appalling betrayal of their trust that undoubtedly leaves them confused and terrified, and it’s every bit as egregiously cruel as it would be if it were a child being harassed and antagonised,” Jason Baker of animal rights group Peta advised information.com.au.
“Peta encourages animal guardians to use common sense, think about these senseless social media stunts from the animal’s perspective, and always put their companion animal’s well-being first.”
Instead of taking the icy hit themselves, some pet owners are soaking their canines — all to rating a few low-cost likes. TIkTok/@chrisheern
But common sense appears to be on ice.
“This is an upsetting trend where you can see the animals are visibly confused by the human’s behaviour in these videos,” Ryan Neile, head of habits at UK pet charity Blue Cross stated in a assertion, as per The Independent.
“Pets are not toys to be exploited, humiliated or objectified for our own entertainment.”
The so-called “#barkyourmindchallenge” is a mangy twist on the once-heroic ALS Ice Bucket Challenge — now drenching canines as an alternative of raising awareness. TikTok/@maggiemaewaddle
The frosty fad comes scorching on the heels of one other stomach-churning trend beforehand reported on by The Post, in which pet owners filmed themselves spinning their cats, canines — even rabbits — by the entrance legs like rag dolls.
“This puts unnecessary strain on your pet’s joints/muscles and can make them feel dizzy and nauseous, all for the sake of a few views,” warned Jade, a registered veterinary nurse and widespread TikTokker identified as Jade The Vet Nurse final month. “Let’s be responsible pet owners and get rid of this trend.”
Jade, who has three canines and three tortoises of her own, didn’t mince phrases when she noticed people hoisting their pets like circus props.
The frosty fad (above) follows one other gut-churning craze The Post lined — where pet owners spun their cats, canines, even rabbits by the entrance legs like limp rag dolls. TikTok/@maggiemaewaddle
“You can cause [them] to feel really dizzy and nauseous,” she stated. “I’ve literally seen people try and do this trend with large dogs, and I have seen people drop their dogs, which can cause injury.”
The UK’s People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals echoed Jade’s considerations, warning that the spinning — and probably the ice baths too — may end result in lasting harm.
“Limping and stiffness can be caused by several different conditions, the most common being minor injuries and arthritis,” the group stated.
Animal rights watchdogs like Peta (above) have ripped both trends — whether or not it’s dousing canines with ice water or spinning them like furry fidget spinners for TikTok clout. PETA
“It is important to take your dog to the vets even if their problem appears minor – some dogs are very good at hiding pain from their owner.”
In different phrases, stop utilizing your pet as clickbait.
Because no quantity of clout is value chilling — or spinning — your best good friend into a vet go to.
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