Full Breakdown
Stolen Celebrity Dog Chutou Slaughtered in Henan, Prompting Calls for Stronger Animal-Protection Laws
6/6/2026, 2:02:41 AM
Stolen Celebrity Dog Chutou Slaughtered in Henan
On 11 May 2024, eight-year-old Border Collie Chutou, a Douyin star with over 1.5 million followers, disappeared from his family’s farm in Ningling County, Henan while owner Guo, a travel influencer, was abroad. CCTV captured two people taking the dog on an electric scooter. Guo offered the suspect 10,000 yuan (?US$1,500) for the dog’s return; the man replied the animal had already been sold to a restaurant for 180 yuan (?US$25), slaughtered, and eaten. The thief claimed he mistook Chutou for a stray, despite the dog wearing a collar and GPS tracker.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 11 May – Chutou stolen; CCTV records the abduction.
- 26 May – Guo contacts the suspect, offers 10,000 yuan, learns the dog was sold and slaughtered.
- 31 May – Guo posts on Douyin that he will pursue legal action and thanks supporters.
- Early June – Ningling County Public Security Bureau opens an administrative case; police investigation continues.
Background & Data on Dog-Meat Trade and Legal Framework
China has no national companion-animal protection law; pets are treated as property. Dogs were removed from the official livestock catalogue in 2020, yet an estimated 10 million dogs are killed annually for meat, with less than 20 % of the population consuming it (Humane Society International). Cities such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai ban dog and cat consumption, but no nationwide ban exists. A 2016 survey showed a majority of Chinese citizens favor a total ban on the dog-meat trade. Relevant figures: Chutou’s follower count > 1.5 million; purchase price 2,000 yuan (?US$300); sale price to restaurant 180 yuan; legal theft threshold > 2,000 yuan.
Official Statements & Responses
Ningling County Public Security Bureau confirmed an administrative case has been opened. Guo publicly declared his intention to pursue the matter through the courts and thanked supporters for their solidarity. Lawyer Du Wei explained that criminal theft charges require the stolen item’s value to exceed 2,000 yuan, a point that may affect the case’s outcome. Police have not announced any arrests.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users condemned the incident, calling Chutou a “bright, living soul” and demanding accountability. Animal-rights groups cited the case as evidence of gaps in China’s pet-protection framework and urged legislators to enact a national ban on dog-meat consumption.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The dog is dead, so stop making a fuss. I did not break the law.” — alleged thief
- “I cried while watching Chutou's old videos,” — social-media user
- “I intend to pursue the matter legally,” — Guo, travel influencer
- “hair was thrown in the rubbish long ago” — restaurant worker
What’s Next
The investigation will assess whether Chutou’s market value meets the 2,000-yuan threshold for criminal theft. Outcomes could shape future enforcement of property-theft statutes and intensify calls for a unified animal-welfare law in China.
