Even History's Most Evil Dictators Had Pets

Vladimir Lenin, a controversial political figure, some saw him as a totalitarian dictator. Others remember him as a champion of socialism. He had a pet cat. People wonder what the cat's name was; many people have answers.People wondered.Theorists suggest Lenin never named his cat. Naming it implied ownership, a capitalist idea.

Some argue that view of Lenin's beliefs is exaggerated or made up. Most likely, the cat had a name.

Adolf Hitler murdered millions during the Holocaust. He led ethnic cleansings that caused 6 to 17 million deaths in the 1940s. Hitler was an absolute monster. He tried to change his image with propaganda showing his love for animals, especially dogs.

One dog Hitler favored was a German Shepherd namedBlondiBlondi was a breed highly valued in Germany then. Hitler took her everywhere. He reportedly let her sleep with him. Hitler killed her when she was only four.

Hitler planned suicide to avoid capture. He did not trust Heinrich Himmler, who provided the cyanide pills. Hitler thought the pills were just sedatives. Hitler fed one to Blondi. She died, and he was devastated. Soon after, he acquired all her puppies and all other dogs in his hideout, theFührerbunkerThe Führerbunker killed before Hitler and his wife Eva Braun ended their lives.

Benito Mussolini founded Italian Fascism. While ruling Italy with an iron fist, Mussolini found time for hobbies likeBenito Mussolini's lion tamingMussolini had his own pet lion named Ras.

Little is known about Ras. Mussolini liked taking the lion on drives through city streets.

Many stories connect the fascist Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin to dogs. First, theJoseph Stalin's Black Russian TerrierThe Black Russian Terrier is called "Stalin's Dog" because Stalin made it. Rumors say Stalin had a stake in their development, wanting them to beJoseph Stalin's protective watch dogs.

Stalin ordered dogs get explosive vests and be deployed to blow up Nazi tanks.Joseph Stalin deployed dogs to blow up Nazi tanks.Stalin first planned to train dogs to set off bombs and then flee. Dogs panicked in battle heat. So, Stalin shifted to 'disposable dogs': bombs fired automatically, killing the dog right away.

Muammar al-GaddafiMuammar al-Qaddafi took control of the Libyan government in 1969. He ruled as an authoritarian dictator until 2011. During his rule, he decided to create a personalanimal farmMuammar al-Gaddafi kept over 500 ostriches, rare-breed camels, hybrid cattle, and many sheep and goat breeds. After al-Qaddafi fell, he left all these animals to fend for themselves; many died from starvation or heat exhaustion.

Political enemies helped care for al-Qaddafi's animals. Belgasem Al Sosi, a veterinarian, and Mohamad Al Majdoub, a doctorate holder in international relations, also assisted, believing animal care would open the way to a freer Libya.

Kim Jong-Il, North Korea's dictator from 1994 to 2011, lived a lavish life. This angered many because North Koreans often ate from trash cans due to poverty under his rule. For example, he hadpet dogs.Handlers received twenty kilograms of fresh beef daily. Dog handlers faced labor camps if they stole even small amounts of beef.

Kim Jong-il's son, Kim Jong-un, made confusing announcements about dogs.dog meat a superfood to increase its consumption. Then, he opened a dog zoo pavilion in Pyongyang.He first mentioned [blank] to increase its use. Then, he opened a dog zoo pavilion in Pyongyang. The zoo holds wild animals like elephants and hippos. Western breeds, such as St Bernard’s, schnauzers, and German shepherds, are the main draws.

Some saw Muammar al-Gaddafi as a revolutionary hero; others viewed him as a ruthless dictator.Fidel CastroFidel Castro remains a complex figure. Most people know some of his political actions but miss hisattempt to breed super cows to fix Cuba's milk shortage.Fidel Castro sought a solution for Cuba's milk shortage. Castro cared deeply for dairy; he drank milkshakes daily and ate up to [blank].26 scoops of ice cream at a time.Castro's love for milk was widely known; a political enemy even tried to poison one of his milkshakes.

Due to his need for dairy, Castro hired scientists to breed a super cow for high milk production. Nearly all efforts failed, but Ubre Blanca, or White Udder, succeeded. This cow, a cross between a Holstein and a Cebu cow, produced four times the milk of a regular cow. Castro spoiled her.

Ubre Blanca lived in a luxury, air-conditioned stable. She heard soothing music and got constant care. Castro, despite his usual suspicion, showed her to journalists and dignitaries. After she died, he ordered a portrait painted, which the National Library hung outside.

Dictators did not keep pets just to show affection. Some kept pets only to help their regime.Idi AminAmin kept pets only to benefit his regime. Amin, aUgandan despotAmin killed and tortured between 80,000 and 500,000 people in the 1970s for ethnic cleansing and personal revenge. He fed his pet crocodiles the corpses of those he killed.

Caligula, the Roman dictator from 37-41 BCE, remains one of history's worst tyrants. Caligula raped his sisters and forced them into prostitution. He also randomly murdered civilians for his amusement. Caligula wanted the Roman people to worship him as a god, so he treated his favorite horse,IncitatusIncitatus lived in a stable of marble and ivory. His blankets were all

Incitatus lived in a stable made of marble and ivory. His blankets were allpurplePurple linked to royalty; the dye was hard to get. He also wore a collar with precious stones. Caligula loved this horse so much he planned to make it consul, the top Roman political job. Some think Caligula's mental state caused this. Others think he mocked the senate, suggesting a horse could do the job.