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Influencer dog Chutou stolen and eaten in China, sparking outrage

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • An influencer dog named Chutou was stolen from a farm in China's Henan province and later killed and sold for meat.
  • The incident has reignited debate over the dog meat trade and the lack of national animal protection laws in China.
  • Chutou's owner is pursuing legal action, seeking criminal consequences and compensation, highlighting the legal vacuum surrounding animal welfare.

A beloved border collie influencer, Chutou, was stolen from a family farm in China's Henan province on May 11, 2026, and subsequently slaughtered and sold at a dog meat restaurant. The theft deeply affected its owner, content creator Guo, and his community of 1.5 million followers, bringing the controversial dog meat trade and the absence of national animal protection laws back into sharp focus.

The captor sold the animal to a gastronomic establishment for 180 yuan, a figure close to 24 dollars.

— La Prensa GráficaReporting on the financial transaction of the stolen dog.

Two men on an electric bicycle abducted Chutou while the dog was under the care of Guo's parents. Guo was traveling in Georgia at the time of the disappearance. Security camera footage captured the abduction, aiding authorities in locating one of the suspects weeks later. The alleged perpetrator sold Chutou to a restaurant for approximately $24, where the 8-year-old border collie was reportedly killed and consumed the same day.

The alleged offender publicly argued that he mistook Chutou for a stray dog, a claim the owner denied upon registering that the pet wore an identification collar and a tracker.

— El ComercioDetailing the suspect's defense and the owner's refutation.

The accused claimed he mistook Chutou for a stray, a defense Guo disputes, noting the pet wore an identification collar and a tracker. Guo has filed a police report and is demanding criminal penalties and financial compensation. His legal team aims to prove the animal's economic value exceeds legal thresholds, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to three years. However, Chinese law currently classifies pets as mere property, excluding emotional damages.

The owner of the pet reported the case to the Chinese Police and demands criminal consequences and economic compensation for the losses.

— El ComercioDescribing the legal actions taken by the owner.

Chutou's tragic fate has intensified global criticism of culinary traditions in certain Asian regions. While cities like Shenzhen and Zhuhai have local bans on consuming dog meat, China lacks a comprehensive national regulatory framework. The legal resolution of this case is expected to set a precedent for local courts, as animal welfare groups continue to advocate for legislative reforms.

The legislation of that nation considers pets solely as property, which excludes emotional damages.

— El Tiempo de ColombiaExplaining the limitations of current Chinese animal welfare laws.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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