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What’s The Story Behind Viral video of 7 stolen dogs in China

What's The Story Behind Viral video of 7 stolen dogs in China
Seven dogs escaped an illegal dog meat sale in China. Photo credit: X/@Yoda4ever

A video showing seven dogs walking together on a busy highway in China has gone viral. The footage was recorded on March 16 in Changchun, Jilin province. It shows the dogs moving in a group formation, drawing attention online for their coordinated movement and behaviour.

The video was first shared by a man surnamed Lu, who spotted the dogs on the road. He later posted the clip on Douyin and urged authorities to help. The video quickly spread across platforms and gained millions of views.

What happened

According to reports by the South China Morning Post, the seven dogs were stolen from three households in the same village. They were allegedly being transported for the illegal dog meat trade.

During transit, the dogs managed to escape from a moving truck on the Changshuang Expressway. After escaping, they stayed together and began moving back towards their village.

The group travelled nearly 17 kilometres over two days. They crossed highways and open fields while remaining close to each other throughout the journey.

What the video shows

The viral clip shows the dogs walking in a structured way. A Corgi appears to lead from the front, while a Golden Retriever walks along the side. An injured German Shepherd is seen in the middle, and the group adjusts its pace to match its movement.

Lu tried to guide the dogs to safety, but they did not respond. He told local media that the dogs did not behave like strays and moved in a coordinated manner.

Volunteers and local authorities later stepped in. A drone was also used to track the dogs and monitor their movement.

Rescue and reunion

By March 19, all seven dogs were safely reunited with their owners. The animals belonged to three different households in the same village.

Owners confirmed that the dogs had been missing and expressed relief after their return. One owner said the group managed to survive the journey and reach back safely.

Background and wider context

Dog theft is a criminal offence in China, with penalties based on the animalโ€™s value. Despite this, cases of stolen pets continue to be reported in several cities.

The illegal dog meat trade still exists in parts of northern China. Since raising dogs for meat involves high costs, stolen pets and stray animals are often used instead.

The video has gained large attention online, with some clips crossing hundreds of millions of views. The incident highlights ongoing concerns around pet theft and illegal animal trade in the region.

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