Seven stolen dogs have captured the hearts of millions online after escaping a meat factory in China and embarking on a ten mile journey home together.
Viral footage shows the animals, of all sizes, forming a ‘band of brothers’ and trotting down a busy highway in Changchun, Jilin province.
In the clip, the dogs surround an injured German shepherd, while a Corgi leading the pack repeatedly looks back to ensure none are left behind.
The group also included Golden Retrievers, Labradors and a Pekingese.
The person who filmed the footage told mainland Chinese outlet Dahe Daily: ‘They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs.’
Although he tried several times to guide them to safety, the dogs ignored his calls. He later shared the video online, urging local authorities to step in.
Another passerby also captured footage of the dogs wandering through nearby fields.
The local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base said the animals came from the same village and had likely formed strong bonds.
Volunteers were dispatched along with a drone to track the dogs and help guide them home.
One volunteer claimed the animals had been stolen by people running a dog meat shop and may have escaped from a truck, although no witnesses saw them flee.
Despite the controversy, some dog meat restaurants still operate in northern China.
During the long, harsh winters, some locals believe eating dog meat provides warmth and sustenance.
The Dalian Animal Protection Association said dog farms are rare because raising dogs is costly.
For many traders, stray animals and stolen pets are the cheapest and easiest source of meat.
Cities including Changchun, Harbin and Dalian have reported numerous cases of pet dogs being stolen.
On March 19, a volunteer told Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their owners, from three separate households.
Based on the timeline of the videos showing them walking back home, it is believed that they escaped on March 16 and returned to their respective homes on March 18.
The highway where they were first spotted was about 17km from their village.
One owner said his missing German shepherd and Golden Retriever had made it home, adding: ‘We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.’
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
Another praised her Corgi’s intelligence, saying it was able to lead the group back.
There is currently no further information about the suspected thieves.
In China, dog theft is a criminal offence, with penalties including fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.
The dogs’ remarkable journey has drawn huge attention online, with videos racking up more than 230 million views.
One person wrote: ‘Their journey could be the premise for a movie. The Golden Retriever positioned itself closest to traffic to shield the others.
‘The Corgi kept checking back to ensure no one was left behind. The German shepherd, showing natural leadership, remained central like a general.’
Another added: ‘Dogs exemplify loyalty to their companions; humans who harm them show far less humanity.’
A third said: ‘Dogs are our most devoted friends and deserve protection and nurturing. It is crucial to establish an animal protection law as soon as possible,’ added a third.
Chinese law does not explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog meat, although Shenzhen became one of the first mainland cities to ban the eating of cats and dogs in 2020.
