Stolen Dogs Walk 17km to Freedom in China Amidst Meat Trade Concerns

Seven dogs that were stolen in Jilin province, China, managed to escape their captors and walk more than 17 kilometers over two days to return home, according to reports from the South China Morning Post. The animals, recovered between March 16 and 18, sustained only minor injuries.

The dogs’ return unfolded after a series of online posts alerted volunteers and local residents to their plight. Videos shared on social media platforms like Douyin and YouTube showed the animals traveling along a highway shoulder and across fields, prompting individuals to recognize them and track their progress.

The organization Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base told the South China Morning Post that all seven dogs came from the same village and were already familiar with one another, which likely contributed to their ability to remain together during the journey. The dogs were reunited with their owners on March 19.

Prior to their escape and return, evidence suggested the dogs were stolen with the intention of being sold for meat. The animals were reportedly transported in a truck alongside other dogs, destined for markets where live animals are often sold. A witness, identified as Lu, told Dahe Daily that the dogs appeared to be a “band of little brothers in trouble, moving in unison,” and that despite attempts to guide them to safety, they continued onward.

The group included a German Shepherd with an injury, along with a Corgi, several Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and a Pekingese. Videos circulating online showed the dogs navigating the busy roadside and open countryside.

The incident highlights the ongoing issue of pet theft in China, where animals are sometimes stolen from streets or homes. This situation leaves owners with little information about their pets’ fate. The case also occurs within a complex legal landscape surrounding the consumption of dog meat in China. Even as dogs were removed from the country’s livestock list in 2020 and reclassified as companion animals – complicating their commercial use – the consumption of dog meat remains legal in many areas.

Some cities, like Shenzhen, have implemented stricter regulations, prohibiting the production, sale, and consumption of dog meat since May 2020. However, a nationwide ban is not yet in place. The practice of eating dog meat is linked to traditional beliefs and perceived health benefits in some regions, despite concerns about potential health risks associated with unsanitary conditions and the presence of parasites like Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella.