China currently has no companion animal protection law, with pets largely treated as property under existing legal frameworks. As a result, most disputes involving companion animals are handled through civil compensation rather than stronger criminal protections.
What would you do if your beloved dog suddenly disappeared, only to discover weeks later that it had been sold to a dog meat restaurant, slaughtered, and eaten?
For Guo, a travel influencer from China’s Henan province, that unimaginable nightmare became reality.
For eight years, his Border Collie, Chutou, was more than just a pet. Intelligent, loyal and gentle, the dog became his constant companion as they traveled across China together — from snow-covered mountains to vast deserts. At night, Chutou faithfully guarded Guo outside his tent, earning the admiration of more than 1.5 million followers on Chinese social media who watched the pair’s adventures unfold.
Their journey began in 2018 when Guo bought Chutou, then a three-month-old puppy, from a street vendor for more than 2,000 yuan (about US$300).
But while Guo was on a solo road trip in Georgia earlier this year, he left Chutou in the care of his parents.
In May, Guo’s father discovered the dog had disappeared from the family’s farmland. Surveillance footage later revealed two strangers taking Chutou away on an electric bike.
The moment Guo learned what had happened, he abandoned his trip and rushed home, determined to bring his best friend back.
For days, hope kept him searching.
A sad day
On 26 May, he finally tracked down the man accused of stealing Chutou and even offered 10,000 yuan (US$1,500) in exchange for the dog’s safe return.
“The man claimed he mistook Chutou for a stray, saying the dog followed him after being called.”
Guo rejected the explanation, saying Chutou had been wearing both a collar and a tracker while resting on the family’s farmland.
Then came the heartbreaking truth.
Guo was told Chutou had already been sold to a dog meat restaurant for just 180 yuan (US$27). By the time he found the trail, his loyal companion had already been slaughtered and eaten.
The devastation only deepened when the alleged thief showed no remorse.
“The dog is dead, so stop making a fuss. I did not break the law.”
Still searching for something to hold onto, Guo went to the restaurant where Chutou had been killed, hoping at least to recover his dog’s remains — or even a lock of his fur.
Instead, he was met with another painful response.
“The hair was thrown in the rubbish long ago.”
Dog-meat trade
With nothing left to bury, Guo turned to the authorities. He reported the incident to police and submitted evidence showing Chutou’s market value, hoping the case could qualify for criminal prosecution.
According to Du Wei, a lawyer at Sichuan Weixu Law Firm, theft cases in China can only be pursued criminally if the stolen property is valued at more than 2,000 yuan. If Chutou’s value is recognized, the suspect could face a theft charge punishable by up to three years in prison.
However, legal experts noted that while Guo may seek compensation for his financial losses, proving Chutou’s commercial value as a social media celebrity—as well as the immense emotional pain caused by his death—would be far more difficult.
China currently has no companion animal protection law, with pets largely treated as property under existing legal frameworks. As a result, most disputes involving companion animals are handled through civil compensation rather than stronger criminal protections.
News of Chutou’s death quickly spread online, reigniting debate over China’s dog meat trade and the country’s legal protections for pets.
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