A woman in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, China, has sparked online discussion after taking her pet rooster to a veterinary clinic to have a cast applied following a suspected fracture.
According to local reports, the rooster, which has been kept for about three years, was brought in for treatment after its leg was injured. The owner reportedly insisted on seeking medical care, saying the bird was a long-term companion rather than livestock intended for consumption.
The unusual case gained attention after videos circulated online, showing the bird receiving treatment similar to a human patient, including the application of a plaster cast.
The woman explained in the video that her father had accidentally injured the rooster, prompting her mother to rush it to a veterinary station for help. She also emphasised the emotional bond the family had developed with the bird over the years.
The incident quickly went viral on Chinese social media, with many users reacting with humour, joking that the rooster was receiving “VIP treatment” or suggesting light-heartedly that it should be turned into chicken soup.
Others, however, expressed understanding, noting that long-term care of animals—whether pets or poultry—can naturally lead to strong emotional attachment.
