7 Stolen Dogs Escaped a Truck in China and Trekked Over 10 Miles Back to Their Owners
Seven village dogs stolen by suspected dog meat traders in northeastern China broke free from a truck and walked roughly 17 kilometers — over 10 miles — along a busy highway to find their way home.
The remarkable journey, captured on video and shared widely online, has drawn more than 230 million views and touched audiences across the globe.
A Stranger Spots the Pack on a Busy Highway
On March 16, a person with the last name Lu recorded video of seven dogs walking together along a highway in Changchun, in China’s Jilin province.
According to the South China Morning Post, the footage shows the group of dogs surrounding an injured German shepherd, while a Corgi at the front of the pack repeatedly looked back to ensure none were left behind. The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
Lu said he tried to guide them to safety, but the dogs ignored him.
Unable to help directly, he shared the video on Douyin, a popular Chinese social media platform, urging local authorities to step in.
Volunteers and a Drone Join the Search
The local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base reported that the dogs came from the same village, where they typically roamed freely together and had formed strong friendships.
In response to the video, the base dispatched several volunteers and even a drone to track the dogs and help bring them safely home.
One volunteer claimed that individuals operating a dog meat shop had stolen the dogs, suggesting the animals may have escaped from a truck. However, no witnesses saw their departure.
The highway where Lu first spotted the dogs was about 17 km — over 10 miles — from their village.
All Seven Dogs Made It Home
On March 19, a volunteer informed Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their respective owners, who came from three different households, according to a report from Sing Tao Headlines.
One owner expressed relief that his missing dogs — a German shepherd and a golden retriever — had returned home, stating: “We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.”
No Leads on the Suspected Thieves
As of now, no additional information has emerged regarding the dog thieves.
In China, dog theft is considered a criminal offense, with penalties that can include fines or imprisonment based on the value of the animal.
A Story That Captivated Millions
The dogs’ journey home quickly became a viral sensation. Videos of the pack making their way along the highway accumulated over 230 million views online, striking a chord with viewers moved by the animals’ loyalty to one another and determination to return to their families.
The injured German shepherd, shielded by its companions, and the watchful Corgi leading the group became especially powerful images in the footage.
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.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
