A recent development in this story has revealed that, following a further investigation, the dogs did not escape captivity. For a detailed account, please read “Plot twists in the viral ‘great escape’ and homecoming video of 7 dogs from China”.
Seven village dogs in northeastern China captured the hearts of millions online after breaking free from thieves – who had allegedly stolen them for dog meat – and journeying home together.
On March 16, a social media user surnamed Lu recorded a video of seven dogs walking along a busy highway in Changchun, Jilin province.
The footage showed a group of dogs carefully surrounding an injured German shepherd, while a Corgi at the front appears to repeatedly look back to ensure none were left behind. The group also included Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Pekingese dogs.
Lu told mainland Chinese media outlet Dahe Daily, “They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs.”
While he attempted several times to guide them to safety, the dogs ignored him. Lu 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.
A local animal rescue group, Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base, said the dogs come from the same village and were known to roam together and have strong friendships. In response to Lu’s video, volunteers from the group launched a search operation, even using a drone to track the dogs down and help them return home.
One volunteer claimed the dogs had been taken by individuals operating a dog-meat business and may have escaped from a transport vehicle, although this has not been confirmed by witnesses. The South China Morning Post reached out to the group for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Despite controversy surrounding the practice, a few dog meat restaurants still operate in northern China. During the long, frigid winters, some locals believe consuming dog meat will provide them with extra warmth and sustenance. The Dalian Animal Protection Association noted that dog farms are rare due to the high cost of raising dogs.
That means that 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 from the animal rescue group informed Chinese media outlet Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their respective owners.
The dogs had come from three different households. The highway where Lu first spotted them was about 17km 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 eaten.”
Another owner proudly noted that her Corgi was 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 a criminal offence, with penalties that can include fines or imprisonment based on the value of the animal.
The incident drew widespread attention online, with videos of the dogs amassing more than 230 million views.
One user remarked, “Their journey could be the premise for a movie. The Golden Retriever positioned itself closest to traffic to shield the others. The Corgi kept checking back to ensure no one was left behind. The German shepherd, showing natural leadership, remained central like a general.”
Another user said: “Dogs exemplify loyalty to their companions; humans who harm them show far less humanity.”
“Dogs are our most devoted friends and deserve protection and nurturing. It is crucial to establish an animal protection law as soon as possible,” another added.
There is currently no nationwide law explicitly prohibiting the consumption of dog meat, although some areas have imposed local bans. In 2020, Shenzhen became one of the first mainland cities to ban the eating of cats and dogs.
