A man has been questioned by police in Vietnam’s Da Lat city after a video showing him beating his Alaska Malamute dog at a popular tourist square went viral on social media, prompting authorities to open an administrative case and sparking calls for a boycott of commercial pet photo services.
Police investigation and response
Officers in Lam Dong Province began compiling a case file against the man, identified as T.V.L., 38, after the footage circulated online Thursday. The incident occurred September 2 at Lam Vien Square, where the Ho Chi Minh City resident had brought the dog for paid tourist photographs.
According to the Xuan Huong – Da Lat Ward People’s Committee, L. had arrived in the area recently and regularly brought the animal to crowded locations for visitors to take photos with it in exchange for payment. Police said the man told them he beat the dog because it refused to obey his commands.
Authorities stated they would increase patrols and expand the use of security cameras to prevent people from bringing animals to public spaces for commercial photo services. The man was released after questioning but remains part of an ongoing administrative proceeding.
Online backlash and boycott movement
The incident quickly drew widespread condemnation on social media, with users in Da Lat-focused groups urging tourists to stop using paid pet photo services altogether. A widely shared message among the backlash was direct: don’t take photos, don’t pay, and don’t support the practice.
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Critics argue that every paid session encourages owners to keep bringing animals to the square as a revenue source. The animals often must sit, stand, or pose for extended periods, particularly during holidays and peak travel seasons when tourist numbers surge.
Some users have suggested the service will disappear if demand dries up entirely. Online pressure has intensified since the video emerged, with the movement gaining traction among animal welfare advocates in Vietnam’s central highlands region.
The Lam Vien Square area has seen repeated enforcement challenges. Officers said they frequently intervene to stop people from bringing dogs and other pets to the location for paid photo services, though some visitors continue to use them, making compliance difficult to achieve.
A similar incident occurred at the same square in August 2024, when Alaskan Malamutes used for tourist photos were filmed being beaten and mistreated. Police investigated at the time and worked with the owner of a dog photo service following public outrage.
Despite their imposing size and thick, wolf-like coats, Alaskan Malamutes are generally known for being affectionate, loyal and friendly toward people, characteristics that drew tourists to the paid photo services in the first place.