According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the seven dogs were being transported for the illegal dog meat trade. They managed to escape the thieves’ moving truck on the Changshuang Expressway.
Release Date
03/25/2026
Changchun, China
Instead of scattering, the seven dogs, thanks to their intelligence, sense of direction, sense of smell, route memory, and ability to recognize sounds, stayed together. Reports indicate that a corgi appeared to be leading the pack, while the others surrounded an injured German Shepherd. They began making their way back home along roads and through fields, covering 17 kilometers (10.5 miles).
Local reports and security camera footage, including a video recorded on March 16 in Changchun, Jilin Province, show the seven dogs walking together in a group formation along a busy highway in China. The video has gone viral.
Lu, who filmed the video, tried to guide the dogs to safety, but they didn’t respond. He told local media that the dogs weren’t behaving like strays and, thanks to the corgi, were moving in a coordinated manner. Later, volunteers and local authorities intervened, using a drone to track the dogs and monitor their movements.
In social media posts, and thanks to the help of neighbors, it was reported that on March 19, the seven dogs were reunited safely with their owners after a two-day journey. The dogs belonged to three different families from the same village.
The owners confirmed that the dogs had been missing and expressed their relief at their return. One of them commented that the group managed to survive the journey and arrive safely.
In China, dog theft is a crime, with prison sentences that vary depending on the animal’s value. Despite this, cases of stolen pets continue to be reported in various cities. The illegal trade in dog meat still exists in some areas of northern China. Because raising dogs for human consumption is costly, stolen pets and stray animals are often used.
The incident highlights the ongoing concern about pet theft and the illegal animal trade in the region.
