Man taught dog to smoke

A Chinese man has been criticised for training his pet puppy to smoke cigarettes.

Zeng Ziguang, 23, a chef, of Wuchang, Hubei Province, has been teaching Blackie to smoke since buying him six months ago.

He now claims the dog is addicted to tobacco and gets through a packet of cigarettes a day.

"He hated the smell of smoke to begin with. But I trained him to get used to it by blowing smoke at him," said Zeng.

"Gradually Blackie got used to the smell and I started putting the lit cigarette into his mouth. Each time he did that, I would reward him with food."

Zeng said Blackie was a natural mimic and within a month had learnt to smoke.

However, neighbours are appalled that Zeng has encouraged a dog to smoke and say he should be prosecuted.

"He is a terrible pet owner," one told the local Changjiang Daily.

orange.co.uk