In a heartbreaking incident that has sparked global outrage, an 8-year-old Border Collie belonging to a Chinese food vlogger was stolen, sold to a restaurant for just $26 (approximately ₹2,400) and eaten. The beloved canine, named Chutou, was a massive internet celebrity in his own right, boasting over 1.5 million followers across various Chinese social media platforms. Though the distraught influencer desperately offered a hefty cash reward to the dognapper for his pet’s safe return, he was tragically too late, as the dog had already been slaughtered.
What had happened?
According to a site dedicated to seeking justice for Chutou, the 8-year-old blue merle Border Collie vanished near Liuhe town, Ningling County. His owner, Guo, later came to know that he was lured away by a man and sold for $26 “to be slaughtered for meat”.
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During the incident, Guo was on a solo road trip in Georgia, and Chutou was with the travel vlogger’s parents, reported the Star.
On May 11, Guo’s father noticed that Chutou was missing, and upon reviewing CCTV footage, he discovered that the dog had been taken by two strangers.
The news prompted Guo to return to China. Reportedly, the influencer tracked down the man who allegedly took Chutou and offered him $1,500 (approximately ₹1.4 lakh) to return the dog. However, to his horror, the man told him that the dog was already sold to a restaurant and eaten.
“The dog is dead, so stop making a fuss. I did not break the law,” the suspect allegedly told the dog’s owners and refused to even apologise.
Guo also reached out to a restaurant worker in hopes of getting the dog’s fur and giving him a proper goodbye. However, the individual who butchered Chutou said, “The hair was thrown in the rubbish long ago,” reported the outlet.
How did social media react?
The story broke the hearts of internet users who agreed that stricter animal laws were needed. An individual posted, “Wow. This story is grim… I wish the full extent of the law befalls these people.”
Another added, “I don’t care what country you are in, to treat animals like this, you just can’t be a human. There’s just no way.” A third expressed, “Heartbreaking. Dog lovers worldwide are raging right now.”
A fourth wrote, “This is everywhere right now. It might be just the thing to see some real change in that country. The spark that lights a fire to burn for all time! Rest in peace, my little friend, this might go nuclear and save millions of your friends!!”
Guo files case:
Guo approached the police to report the incident and provided documentation of Chutou’s actual market value.
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Weighing in on the legal side, a lawyer from Sichuan Weixu Law Firm told local media that any theft case involving items valued at over 2,000 yuan can be prosecuted as a criminal offence.