Corgi-Led 17km Trek Rekindles Criticism of China's Dog Meat Trade

Seven stolen dogs in northeastern China have been reunited with their owners after travelling about 17 kilometres together following an escape from suspected thieves in a case that has renewed criticism of pet theft and the dog meat trade.

The incident was reported by the South China Morning Post, which said the dogs were filmed on 16 March walking along the Changshuang Expressway in Changchun, Jilin province, after apparently breaking free from people linked to a dog meat shop. The report said the case drew widespread attention online and prompted fresh calls for stronger animal protection laws.

Video of the group spread quickly on Chinese social media, with one corgi appearing to move at the front while repeatedly looking back at the others. The dogs were later identified as pets from the same village, and volunteers helped track them until they made their way home.

The Dogs' Escape and Return

According to the report, the group included a German Shepherd, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and a Pekingese, with the dogs staying close together as they crossed the highway and nearby fields. Footage showed them surrounding an injured German Shepherd while moving in formation, leading viewers to conclude they were not strays.

A road user who filmed the animals reportedly tried to guide them to safety but was unable to stop them. Volunteers from a local stray dog base later used social media and a drone to monitor the dogs' movements and support their return. By 19 March, all seven had reportedly been reunited with owners from three households.

Why the Case Drew Wider Attention

The story quickly moved beyond a local recovery effort because in parts of China theft of pets for sale into the dog meat trade is still an issue. One volunteer said the animals may have escaped from a truck, though no witness saw exactly how they got away.

The article also noted that dog farms are uncommon because raising dogs for meat is expensive, making stolen pets and stray animals a cheaper source for some traders. That has kept concern high in parts of northern China, where campaigners say pet theft remains a recurring problem.

China's Dog Meat Laws

China does not have a nationwide ban on eating dog meat, and the practice still exists in some areas despite years of criticism from animal welfare groups. The legal position has long been one of the main reasons activists continue to call for stronger national protections.

Shenzhen became one of the first mainland Chinese cities to ban the eating of cats and dogs in 2020. Even so, the absence of a broader national ban means enforcement remains uneven, particularly in cases involving theft and the movement of animals between regions.

Reaction to the Dogs' Return

The return of the seven dogs drew a strong response because it combined a clear reunion story with a wider debate about animal welfare. Online reaction focused not only on the animals' apparent loyalty to one another, but also on the fact that all of them were returned alive.

For campaigners, the case has become another example of why pet theft and the dog meat trade remain closely linked in public discussion. For the owners involved, the central fact was that the dogs were returned alive.