A well-known pet dog in China has died in a tragic incident after allegedly being stolen, sold and later slaughtered for consumption at a dog meat restaurant.
The eight-year-old Border Collie, named Chutou, had built a strong online following due to its intelligence, gentle behaviour and travels across China alongside its owner, Guo.
The incident surfaced after Guo left the dog in the care of his parents while he travelled solo to Georgia. On May 11, his father discovered that Chutou had gone missing from their home.
CCTV footage later showed two unidentified individuals allegedly taking the dog away on an electric motorcycle, prompting the family to launch a search effort.
Guo later tracked down a man believed to be involved in the theft. The suspect reportedly claimed he assumed the dog was a stray and said it followed him after being called.
The animal was subsequently sold to a dog meat restaurant for 180 yuan (around RM107), where it was reportedly slaughtered before the owner could intervene.
Guo had originally bought Chutou as a three-month-old puppy for more than 2,000 yuan (about RM1,191) from a roadside seller. Over the years, the pair travelled widely across China, documenting their journey on social media and YouTube.
Their content attracted around 1.5 million followers, turning Chutou into a widely recognised internet pet and a favourite among animal lovers online.
The case has reignited debate over animal welfare and pet protection laws in China, with Guo continuing to pursue justice for his companion despite legal complexities surrounding pet ownership regulations.
