Dog with 1.5 million followers stolen, sold, slaughtered and eaten for 23 euros

©Susur He via Unsplash

A dog with more than 1.5 million followers on Douyin - the Chinese version of TikTok - was stolen, sold for just 23 euros and then slaughtered and eaten, according to its owner. The case sparked much public outcry and revived the debate over China's dog meat laws.

The border collie Chutou, eight years old, was known for his intelligence, energy and gentleness. He accompanied his owner Guo, a travel influencer from Henan province, on adventures across China for years. On social media, fans could see him happily roaming snowy mountains and walking through deserts. Viral videos showed him faithfully keeping watch in front of his owner's tent while camping.

When Guo recently headed to Georgia for a solo road trip, he left Chutou with his parents. On May 11, however, his father discovered that the dog had disappeared. Surveillance footage showed two people on a moped taking Chutou away.

Getting a story in the restaurant

The owner immediately returned from his trip to China and found one of the thieves on May 26. The man sold Chutou for 180 yuan (23 euros) to a dog meat restaurant, saying, "The dog is dead, so don't make a fuss. I didn't break the law."

Guo pulled up to the restaurant, hoping for his dog's remains, but the manager told him he had thrown them in the garbage "a long time ago." Heartbreaking footage of Guo's search shows him sitting in his car crying.

Laws under fire

Guo filed a complaint with police and also submitted evidence of Chutou's market value, hoping for criminal charges. In China, criminal prosecution for theft is possible only if the value exceeds 2,000 yuan (255 euros). The thief then risks up to three years in prison.

Du Wei, a lawyer at Sichuan Weixu Law Firm, told The Straits Times, there is no law in China that protects pets. Pets are predominently considered as property and conflicts are resolved through civil compensation.

There is no national ban on eating dog meat in China, although dogs have been off China's farm animal registry since 2020. It is banned in major cities such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai, but in other regions, dog meat remains a traditional ingredient in cuisine.

©Susur He via Unsplash - illustration image of a similar dog