Seven dogs in northeastern China have drawn widespread attention after reportedly escaping from suspected dog meat traders and traveling more than 10 miles back to their home village.
The dogs were spotted on March 16 walking together along a highway in Changchun, in Jilin province. According to the Miami Herald, video footage shows the group moving as a pack, surrounding an injured German shepherd while staying close together. A Corgi at the front of the group appeared to repeatedly look back, as if checking on the others.
A passerby who filmed the dogs attempted to guide them away from the road but was unable to. The video was later shared online, prompting concern and helping alert rescuers.
Local volunteers began searching for the dogs after reports suggested they may have been stolen and escaped from a vehicle linked to the dog meat trade. A rescue group familiar with the animals said the dogs were from the same village and were known to roam together regularly.
Search efforts included volunteers on the ground and the use of a drone to help track the group’s movements. The highway where the dogs were first seen was approximately 17 kilometers—just over 10 miles—from their village.
By March 19, all seven dogs had returned to their owners. The dogs belonged to multiple households, and their return brought relief to owners who had feared they might never see them again.
No suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the alleged theft. Dog theft is a criminal offense in China, though penalties vary depending on the value of the animal.
The story quickly spread online, with videos of the dogs’ journey drawing more than 230 million views.
While some cities in China have taken steps to ban the consumption of dog meat, there is no nationwide ban, and concerns about theft and trafficking remain.
