Halloween Costumes for Dogs – Fun or Dopey? [POLL]

Call me a killjoy, but I don’t get the attraction to dressing up your dog for Halloween.

Lawmakers are out trying to keep us from “harming” (see Pet Seat Belt Law Blog)…and yet fistfuls of dollars are spend getting “Fluffy” ready to go trick or treating along with the kids.

After all, “Fluffy” is part of the family too.

HALLOWEEN 2012: Top 10 Funny & Outrageous Halloween Costumes For Dogs 

Imagine the shock and horror of someone opening up the door for what would be assumed to be a bunch of benign kids trick or treating; only to be met by “Fluffy”…a 110 pound pit bull looking for a “treat”.

Like maybe your left thigh if you don’t produce a doggie treat.

According to this:

Spending on Halloween costumes for pets -- mostly dogs, but occasionally cats --will hit a record $370 million this year, up nearly 20% from last year's $310 million, reports the National Retail Federation.

Sales of pet costumes, though still relatively small, are the industry's fastest-growing area. They're up double-digits the past three years in a row at Rubie's Costume, says Howard Beige, executive vice president.

"Dogs are getting as many popular-character licenses as kids," he says.

Costume makers say the Spot-on trend for dogs this year is the wave of new, licensed costumes for pets -- such as dogs dressed as giant Tootsie Rolls, Heinz ketchup bottles or, for the more heroic canines, Bat Dog. Many of these costumes fetch close to $20 each.

"People just don't skimp on their pets," says Michael Gatti, executive director of the National Retail Federation's marketing arm. "They'll cut corners on themselves, but not on their pets."

Joseph Morales is one of them. The medical research photographer from Houston just spent $40 on Underdog costumes for his two Chinese Shar-Pei pooches. That's $10 more than the $30 he spent on his own Superman costume.

"My dogs are my best friends," he says. "I don't have children, so they're kind of my children. I spoil them."

But not everyone's fond of the trend. Pet owners should steer clear of costumes that constrict movement or that have tight rubber bands that can cut off circulation, says Jane Dollinger, a spokeswoman at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"Most dogs are probably irritated by it," concedes Brad Butler, chief operating officer at HalloweenExpress.com. "I personally think it's silly, but we're making money from it."

Ahh, but then again you don’t have Assemblywoman Grace Spencer in your district.

Were she to find out that all you want to do make money off a fad that could have bad consequences for your dog…kazaa!!! She’ll come up with another law and FINE YOUR SELFISH ASS!

So the Posse is asked to answer the following: