Popular Influencer Dog Stolen, Slaughtered for Meat in China

Widespread anger has erupted in China after a beloved border collie, known to over 1.5 million followers on social media, was stolen and subsequently slaughtered for meat. The eight-year-old dog, named Chutou, belonged to travel influencer Guo, who documented their journeys across China.

Chutou gained significant popularity on Chinese social media platforms, appearing in content featuring snowy mountains and deserts. Guo had left Chutou with his parents while traveling in Georgia. On May 11th, Guo's father discovered the dog missing from their family farm. CCTV footage revealed two individuals on an electric motorcycle taking the dog.

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I thought it was a stray dog. When I called it, it followed me, so I took it.

Guo cut his trip short and returned to China to search for Chutou. He located a man suspected of the theft and offered 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400) for the dog's return. The suspect claimed he believed Chutou was a stray and that the dog followed him when called. Guo countered that Chutou was wearing a collar and GPS tracker and was on his family's property.

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The dog was already dead. Stop making a fuss.

Guo later learned that Chutou had been sold to a dog meat restaurant for 180 yuan (about $25) and had already been butchered. The suspect reportedly showed no remorse, stating the dog was dead and urging Guo to stop causing trouble, claiming he had not broken the law. Guo's request for any remains or fur was met with a dismissive response from the restaurant staff.

Guo has reported the incident to the police and submitted evidence of Chutou's market value. He hopes the case will be treated as a criminal matter. However, legal experts note that under current Chinese law, theft is only prosecuted as a criminal offense if the value of the stolen item exceeds 2,000 yuan (about $275). While Chutou's commercial value might meet this threshold, proving the value of a social media influencer's pet or the owner's emotional distress is challenging. China lacks nationwide animal protection laws, and pets are often legally classified as property. The case has ignited a heated online debate about the consumption of dog meat and the need for better pet protection systems.

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I did not break the law.