LOOK: 7 dogs stolen in China escape, walk over 17 km together to return home safely
It was the escape of the century, canine style.
Seven dogs, supposedly stolen from three houses in a village in northeastern China, broke free from their abductors and walked as a pack at least 17 km toward home, where they all safely arrived together.
According to the South China Morning Post, a video taken by a social media user showed the dogs walking along a busy highway in Changchun, Jilin province. As of writing, the video has gotten 230 million views on Douyin, a Chinese video-sharing platform.
The group included a corgi, German shepherd, golden retriever, labrador, and pekingese. As they walked, the corgi led the group, but often hung back to watch over the German shepherd, who appeared injured.
Lu, who took the video, told mainland China media outlet Dahe Daily he tried to usher the dogs to safety, but they ignored him.
"They resembled a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison; nothing like stray dogs," Lu told the outlet.
Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 23, 2026
They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners..🐶🐾🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/H5VB9BQkGB
Another passing motorist shared footage of the dogs walking across fields close to the highway.
As the videos spread across Chinese social media, information about the dogs, as well as calls for stronger animal protection laws, popped up. One user claimed the dogs were stolen by workers at a dog meat shop, implying the animals may have jumped off a truck to escape, though no one witnessed the abductions.
The local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base said the dogs came from neighboring households and shared a strong friendship. They often roamed the streets freely together.
The Base sent out a drone and volunteers to track the dogs and help them get home safely.
This most recent incident is not an isolated case. According to SCMP, locals in northern China believe consuming dog meat helps them endure frigid winters by keeping them warm and giving them nourishment. For this reason, the region still has several dog meat restaurants in operation.
Based on information from the Dalian Animal Protection Association, to get dog meat for the restaurants, owners turn to dog meat shops, which allegedly steal stray dogs and pets.
While Chinese law does not categorically forbid the consumption of dog meat, in 2020, Shenzhen officially banned the eating of dog and cat meat, becoming one of the first mainland cities to do so.
Dog theft is a criminal offense across the country, however. Penalties may include fines or imprisonment, depending on the animal's value.
On March 19, Jimu News reported that all seven dogs had made it back to their respective homes safely.
The owner of the German shepherd and golden retriever shared their relief.
"We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten," they said.
One user wrote in a comment, "Dogs are our most devoted friends and deserve protection and nurturing. It is crucial to establish an animal protection law as soon as possible."
