China influencer’s celebrity dog stolen and sold to dog meat restaurant, sparking outrage over pet laws

A travel influencer in central China is seeking justice after his celebrity Border Collie was stolen and sold to a dog meat restaurant, prompting widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the country’s limited legal protections for pets.

Guo, a travel influencer from Henan province, raised Chutou, an eight-year-old Border Collie known for his intelligence, energy and gentle temperament. The dog had amassed more than 1.5 million followers on Chinese social media after accompanying Guo on journeys across the country, from snowy mountains to deserts, often guarding him outside his tent at night, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Guo bought Chutou from a street vendor in 2018 for more than 2,000 yuan (US$300) when the puppy was three months old.

Recently, while Guo was on a solo road trip in Georgia, he left Chutou in the care of his parents in Henan.

On 11 May, Guo’s father discovered that Chutou had disappeared from the family’s fields.

Surveillance footage later showed two strangers taking the dog away on an electric bike.

After learning of the incident, Guo cut short his trip and returned to China to search for his pet.

On 26 May, Guo located the man accused of taking Chutou and offered 10,000 yuan (US$1,500) in exchange for the dog’s return.

The man claimed he believed Chutou was a stray and said the dog had followed him after being called.

Guo disputed the explanation, saying Chutou had been wearing both a collar and a tracker while resting on the family’s farmland.

The man later told Guo that he had sold the dog to a dog meat restaurant for 180 yuan (US$27). By then, Chutou had already been slaughtered and eaten.

The alleged thief and his family reportedly offered no apology.

“The dog is dead, so stop making a fuss. I did not break the law,” the man said.

Guo later visited the restaurant and confronted the worker who slaughtered Chutou, hoping to recover the dog’s remains or fur.

“The hair was thrown in the rubbish long ago,” the butcher replied.

Police report and legal hurdles

Devastated by the discovery, Guo reported the case to police and submitted evidence of Chutou’s market value in the hope that criminal charges could be pursued.

According to Du Wei, a lawyer at Sichuan Weixu Law Firm quoted by mainland Chinese media, theft cases can only be pursued criminally if the stolen property is valued at more than 2,000 yuan.

If authorities determine that Chutou’s value exceeded that threshold, the suspect could face a theft charge carrying a sentence of up to three years in prison.

Lawyers cited by Chinese media said Guo could seek compensation for direct losses. However, they noted that proving the dog’s commercial value as a social media celebrity, as well as emotional losses suffered by its owner, could be more difficult.

Debate over animal welfare protections

The case has triggered widespread anger on Chinese social media platforms and renewed debate over animal welfare laws and the dog meat trade.

China does not have a dedicated companion animal protection law, and pets are generally treated as property under existing legal frameworks. Disputes involving pets are typically handled through civil compensation.

Many pet owners and animal welfare advocates have called for stronger legal protections, including harsher penalties for theft and abuse and greater legal recognition of pets beyond their property status.

One social media user wrote: “I cried while watching Chutou’s old videos. Such a bright, living soul ended so tragically. Those who stole, killed and ate him must pay.”

Dog meat trade remains controversial

Although China has no nationwide ban on the consumption of dog meat, dogs were removed from the country’s official livestock catalogue in 2020.

Some cities, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai, have prohibited the eating of dogs and cats. However, dog meat continues to be consumed in certain parts of the country and remains regarded as a traditional ingredient by some communities.

The issue remains particularly contentious in Yulin, in the Guangxi autonomous region, where a controversial dog meat festival promoted by traders has been held annually around 21 June since approximately 2010.

At its peak, reports suggested that thousands of dogs were slaughtered during the event, despite local measures including bans on street slaughter, stricter market supervision and hygiene inspections.