Pet makeovers can be adorable — sometimes. In the case of Violet, a 5 lb. white Maltese mix, the makeover she endured almost killed her.
When Violet’s owners used human hair dye to color her purple, she suffered a horrible reaction that resulted in her being taken in to Pinellas County Animal Services in Florida. Her eyes had swollen shut, she had burnt skin, and she was lifeless.

Pinellas County Animal Services, Facebook
The staff didn’t think she’d make it, but they weren’t going to give up! They gave her fluids and pain medication, cleaned her off as best they could, and bandaged her up. She spent the night at the veterinarian’s home, and to the amazement of the staff the next morning she came back in, still alive.
The gritty work continued. They began to shave Violet’s fur to find that the burns were worse than they had anticipated — her skin began to fall off. Thankfully, she was anesthetized.

Pinellas County Animal Services, Facebook
And her journey to healing began.
“Fast forward 3 months – pain medication, antibiotics, IV fluids, honey treatments, scab removal, anesthetizing, bandage changes, sleepless nights, worrying, hope, worrying, hope and finally the silver lining,” wrote Pinellas County Animal Services on Facebook. “Violet began to tell us what to do – it started with a little noise; not really a bark, not really a cry. But then she found her voice and she never, ever, EVER stopped. She began to walk the halls, visiting each office requesting treats or hugs or gentle pats, always in the lead with our veterinarian in tow. It was clear – Violet was on the mend and she wanted everyone to know it.”

Pinellas County Animal Services, Facebook
If you have pets, please make sure to only use products that are safe for them. This terrible, painful incident could have been easily prevented had Violet’s previous owner done the research before applying harmful chemicals to her body.
The sweet dog pulled through, and now Violet has a loving home with an owner who specializes in beautifying pets, the safe way!
What did he/she/they think would happen if you dyed a small puppy purple. Idiots.
The assholes should not be using dye, PERIOD. It makes me sick that she was given to a human who “specializes” in decorating pets. Humans are disgusting, fascist, beauty whores who do not seem to realize beings look a certain way because Nature intended.
Hey, Haley – pets should not be dyed in the first place. It should not matter whether it’s made for humans or “safe” for domestic pets. Dying, perfuming, and costuming pets should be a felony.
You don’t use human hair colour unless you’re totally stupid it can kill our animals
How can you be so stupid! Maltese are beautiful dogs (as all dogs) why would the owner do that !! Thankfully, she was a fighter with a strong will to live! I pray she lives a long happy life with her new owner !
I had heard about this case, but not seen the gory details. Poor darling Violet. I’m so happy she made it and now knows what real love is. Those owners should be charged with something. Negligence? Ignorance? Certainly stupidity!!!
How can people be so effing STUPID????? Thank goodness Violet wasn’t returned to her original owner!!! Idiot!!!
What an idiotic thing to do to that poor little dog, I hope they’re ashamed of themselves! What an idjit!
This person is disgusting. The poor puppy!
This person should not be allowed to own another animal. At least they had the common sense to take it to animal services, rather than just letting it die. Of coarse they weren’t going to be held accountable for all the expenses. Thankfully that animal services didn’t give up and put all the extra effort into this little guy… ?❤️?
Terrible what the person done and put this poor dog through.
MAN!! THE WORST SPECIES ON THE PLANET. 90% OF THE PEOPLE ON THE PLANET SHOULD BE REMOVED AND SENT OFF TO LIVE ON MARS WHERE THEY BELONG!!!! And for the record, I AM A HUMAN BEING!!! Not part of the people.
yes…worst species on the planet!!!
This is a feeling, thinking animal, not a toy or a bloody fashion accessory. Brain dead people like her owners shouldn’t be allowed to have pets.
Thank You for all the help Poor Little Violet got !
Thank you Violet for having a will to live as big as the sky and as big as the vets who worked tirelessly to save you little one. So happy you have a new owner who loves you and will never hurt you ever again!
Evil is everywhere who ever did this deserves jail time…big fines and never to own another pet….very sad for the pushi….
This idiot woman needs acid pourefon her, that’s what this felt like to this helpless dog! ImI so glad Violet is on the mend.
Les chiens meurt avec votre conerie de le teindre en violet fait ça sur un tableau
It’s stupid to do that in the first place, since when do you dye a dog’s fur. Poor little dog can’t imagine how much she suffered. People need to wake up. Dogs are man’s best friend not experimental items.
clueless I think not more like stupid bitch.
Prosecute these savages to the fullest extent of the law!
Why the heck do this to a dog at all?? They are not humans, and do not need it. They are born beautiful.
This is sadly becoming a growing problem. Just when I think humans have reached their stupidity level, they amaze me again with acts like this. There was a recent article about 2 small dogs that were rescued/surrendered because the owners had *colored* them with pink & purple permanent markers. I wish this article mentioned if the owner was being charged by local authorities etc? Probably not.
WE HUMANS BECAME SICKER AND EVIL THAN EVER =FUCKING DISGRACE !!
Just one word, “Idiot”
How stupid can some people be?? This poor dog almost died because of a clueless human being!! I am glad the doggie survived and I hope the former owners were properly punished!!
HORRIFIC SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST PLAIN STUPID .LET DOGS BE DOGS
Wth is wrong with these idiots? Bviously they have shit for vtains
What sort of stupid person would do this! Obviously doesn’t use their brains! God help their children if they do this to their animal………..
Why the hell would anyone want to dye a animal, are you mad?????
If you must dye your animal use vegetable based dyes. I have studied Animal Care and can tell you that their body chemistry is different to ours. I am glad that she has gone to a loving forever home. I don’t think her former owners meant to hurt her and I hope that they have learned from this.
Humans are as stupid as they come. The man or the woman who did this certainly had no commonsense at all. He/She showed his/her ignorance of animals. Such persons should not be allowed to keep pets. It is fortunate that the determination and hard work put in by the staff at the animal services in Florida were the reasons (and luck,I suppose) saved the poor animal.
People need to realize that animals are not human. Their body chemistry is different and things that are not harmful to humans can hurt animals badly. I trust children and animals more than I do grown ups. Because they love you just the way you are. We need to do the same to them and enjoy every day we are given to be with them. Time is too short.
Humans and their ridiculous amusements just disgust me, if you want attention so badly dye your own skin/hair/whatever else you like blue, purple or green, leave innocent animals alone. Idiot!