Lee Hye-young is facing major backlash after sharing a social media post that sparked a surge animal abuse controversy.
On March 25, the former Roo’ra member uploaded a video to her Instagram showing her daily life with her dog. Although the clip seemed lighthearted at first, featuring her feeding the dog treats, viewers quickly noticed something alarming: the dog had visible makeup applied around its eyes and mouth.
The post immediately attracted criticism online, with many netizens expressing concern and disapproval. The comments poured in, including one that said: “In my country, this wouldn’t be considered nice: it would be called animal cruelty.” Others have pointed this out abuse is not limited to physical violence or neglectunderlining it such actions can still harm animals.
Veterinary science experts also intervened, warning Applying human cosmetics to pets, especially near sensitive areas like the eyes, can pose serious health risks. Dog corneas are highly sensitive to foreign substances and chemical ingredients, which can lead to conditions such as conjunctivitis or even corneal ulcers. In this case the use of mascara around the dog’s eyes was highlighted particularly dangerous.
This incident has drawn comparisons to an earlier controversy involving Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz, who faced global criticism in 2024 after posting a video of their dog dyed pink. Even experts had warned this at the time Dogs’ skin, which is close to neutral pH, can be easily damaged by chemicals, and licking treated fur can lead to ingestion of toxic substances.
As the debate continues, the controversy surrounding Lee Hye Young comes into focus increase public sensitivity towards animal welfare and the responsibilities of public figures when sharing content involving pets.
Sources: Daum | sports trends
