Lee Hye-young's Dog's Full Makeup Sparks Controversy

Singer and artist Lee Hye-young has been embroiled in animal abuse controversy after posting photos and videos on her social media service (SNS) showing her drawing on her pet dog's face with cosmetics.

On the 25th, Lee Hye-young uploaded a daily life video with her pet dog on her Instagram with the caption, "Thanks to you, I had fun." In the video, the pet dog had heavy eye makeup and drawn-on eyelashes, stitched marks on its nose bridge, and a heart pattern on its forehead.

Netizens who saw the video poured out critical responses such as, "Isn't this animal abuse?", "You shouldn't use human cosmetics on dogs like that," and "To post this as something to be proud of." On the other hand, there were also opinions that excessive criticism should be refrained from, stating, "She must have ensured there were no problems since it's her own pet," and "It's evident she cherishes the dog, so it doesn't seem like abuse."

Veterinary experts point out that applying human cosmetics directly to a pet dog's face or around its eyes can cause direct harm. A dog's cornea is sensitive to foreign substances and chemical ingredients, which can lead to conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. In Lee Hye-young's case, applying mascara around the dog's eyes was specifically identified as problematic.

Similar controversies have occurred in the past. In September 2024, Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David Beckham, and his wife Nicola Peltz were involved in an international animal abuse controversy after posting a video on SNS showing their pet dog's face and body painted pink. At the time, experts warned that dogs' skin is close to neutral and can easily become infected by chemical ingredients, and that if dogs lick their fur, toxins can be absorbed into their bodies.