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An 8-year-old border collie named Chutou, beloved by over 1.5 million social media followers, has reportedly been kidnapped, sold to a restaurant, and tragically consumed, according to his owner. The dog’s owner, Guo, a Chinese travel blogger known for sharing his journeys on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, shared the heartbreaking news.
Chutou went missing on May 11 while under the care of Guo’s father during Guo’s trip abroad. Security footage revealed two individuals removing the dog from the family home on an electric scooter. Upon discovering the disappearance, Guo cut his trip short to search for his pet.
Two weeks later, Guo tracked down a man he suspected of taking Chutou and offered 10,000 yuan (around $1,500) to retrieve him. However, the man claimed the dog had been sold to a restaurant for just 180 yuan ($27) and was already slaughtered and eaten.
The alleged thief insisted he mistook Chutou for a stray, despite the dog wearing a collar and GPS tracker. He reportedly showed no remorse, stating, “The dog is dead, so stop making a fuss.
I did not break the law.”
Guo purchased Chutou in 2018 for 2,000 yuan ($300) when the dog was three months old and has since filed a police report, exploring legal action. When Guo visited the restaurant believed to have served his pet, the butcher informed him that Chutou’s hair had been discarded long ago, leaving no evidence.
Local authorities in Ningling County, Henan province, have opened an investigation into the case. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about animal welfare laws in China, where consuming dog meat remains legal and no specific protections exist for companion animals.
The story has deeply moved social media users, with many expressing outrage and sorrow over Chutou’s fate. One commenter remarked, “I cried watching Chutou’s old videos.
Such a vibrant soul lost so tragically. Those responsible must be held accountable.”