A group of individuals who identify as dogs has stirred controversy, leading to calls for “animal control” after a video of their meeting in Berlin gained widespread attention.
Approximately 1,000 people, who prefer to be acknowledged as canines rather than humans, organized a gathering at the Berlin Potsamer Platz railroad station in Germany. They communicated solely by howling or barking at each other.
Critics online mocked these individuals who identify as trans-species, with some suggesting they should be placed in the Siberian tundra to test their “canine instincts” for survival.
“I don’t observe anyone sniffing each other’s tails.”
“Contact animal control and ensure they receive their rabies vaccinations.”
“Can you picture what happens when they all need to relieve themselves?”
“But if they claim to be dogs, why are they wearing masks?”
The unconventional gathering of individuals identifying as canines comes in the wake of the viral sensation surrounding Toco, a man in Japan who has fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a dog by acquiring a hyper-realistic suit worth $14,000.
In a prior interview with The Post, Toco expressed his desire to connect with others who share canine aspirations. He referred to himself as a “therian” and stated, “I think it would be great if something like this existed. I would like to meet them.”
Experts have emphasized the need to distinguish between “therians,” individuals who “identify as a creature other than human,” and “furries,” who are individuals that enjoy dressing up in animal costumes for cosplay.
As an example, certain individuals who identify as “therians,” a term derived from “therianthrope,” may hold the belief that they are a soul of a cat that has been reincarnated into a human body. Dr. Elizabeth Fein, an associate professor of psychology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, had previously explained this concept to The Post.
“Some furries also identify as therians, and conversely, some therians may be furries, but it’s essential to recognize that these are two distinct groups,” she emphasized.
Other individuals who have gained internet fame as human-canine hybrids include Tom Peters, a British man who openly identifies as a Dalmatian, and Toru Ueda, a Tokyo engineer who invested $23,000 in a customized wolf suit.
“When I don my costume, I no longer feel like a human,” explained Ueda, 32, in a previous interview with the UK Times. “I break free from human relationships. All the various troubles related to work and other matters— I can put them out of my mind.”
However, animal-like behavior has been fetishized within the realm of BDSM as “puppy play.” In this practice, typically involving men, participants wear muzzles, collars, or leashes and engage in dog-like behavior. Some OnlyFans models have embraced this persona to generate substantial income, discovering that canine behavior can be especially profitable.
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