It sounds to me like someone stepped in it.

I'm sure having a dog is not a good look for the elites, given many may be starving. Way back in the day, I almost joined the Peace Corps after college. I spoke with a woman who had just got back from Africa, who was stationed in a small village. She came across a cat that was injured and had a vet come. She lost all faith with the villagers because she spent more on that cat than they earned in a month. She eventually had to leave because of it.