Chinese social media star dog stolen, sold to restaurant, and eaten

A beloved Border Collie named Chutou, a social media star with over 1.5 million followers in China, has been stolen and tragically killed, sparking outrage and calls for stricter animal protection laws.

Chutou, an 8-year-old dog, was accompanying his owner, travel blogger Guo, on expeditions across China, gaining significant online fame. While Guo was abroad in May, Chutou remained at the family farm in Henan province. Surveillance cameras captured two men on an electric scooter abducting the dog from a field.

Upon learning of the theft, Guo rushed back to China and located one of the suspects. The suspect claimed he mistook Chutou for a stray, a difficult assertion to accept given the dog wore a collar and a tracking device. Guo discovered that Chutou had already been sold for approximately 23 euros to a restaurant that serves dog meat, and was consumed by customers on the same day.

The suspect's dismissive reaction amplified public anger. He reportedly told Guo, "The dog is dead, so stop making such a fuss. I haven't broken the law," referencing a regional law where theft is only penalized if the damages surpass a specific monetary value. Guo is now demanding justice for his stolen companion.

“

The dog is dead, so stop making such a fuss. I haven't broken the law