Seven stolen village dogs in northeastern China captured the hearts of millions online after breaking free from thieves working for a dog meat shop and embarking on a journey home together, igniting calls for stronger animal protection laws.
On March 16, a netizen surnamed Lu recorded a video of seven dogs walking along a busy highway in Changchun, Jilin province.
In the footage, a group of dogs carefully surrounded an injured German shepherd, while a Corgi at the front repeatedly looked back to ensure none were left behind.
The group also included Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Pekinese dogs.
Lu told mainland media outlet Dahe Daily: “They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs.”
Although he attempted several times to guide them to safety, the dogs ignored his calls. He then shared the video on Douyin, urging local authorities to step in.
Another passing road user captured footage of the dogs wandering through nearby fields.
The local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base reported that the dogs come from the same village, typically roaming freely together and having formed strong friendships.
In response, the base dispatched several volunteers and even a drone to track the dogs and facilitate their safe return home.
One volunteer claimed that individuals operating a dog meat shop had stolen the dogs, suggesting they may have escaped from a truck, though no witnesses saw their departure.
Despite the controversy, a few dog meat restaurants still operate in northern China. During the long, frigid winters, locals believe consuming dog meat provides warmth and sustenance.
The Dalian Animal Protection Association noted that dog farms are very rare, as raising dogs is costly. For many dog meat shop owners, stray dogs and stolen pets are the easiest and cheapest sources of meat.
Cities like Changchun, Harbin, and Dalian have reported numerous incidents of pet dogs being stolen.
On March 19, a volunteer informed Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their respective owners, who came from three different households.
The highway where Lu first spotted them was about 17 km from their village.
One owner expressed relief that his missing dogs – a German shepherd and a Golden Retriever – returned home, stating: “We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.”
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
As of now, no additional information has emerged regarding the dog thieves.
In China, dog theft is considered a criminal offence, with penalties that can include fines or imprisonment based on the value of the animal.
The dogs’ remarkable journey home has garnered widespread attention online, with videos accumulating over 230 million views.
Currently, Chinese law does not explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog meat, although Shenzhen became one of the first mainland cities to ban the eating of cats and dogs in 2020.