Road patrol workers spark outrage for eating lost pet dog in China

By Minh Nga February 13, 2025 | 07:10 pm PT

Photos of YiYi, a pet dog that got lost and eventually eaten by road patrol workers in Shenzhen, China, are posted on Chinese social media platform Douyin by the owner.

Two road patrol workers in Shenzhen faced heavy criticism after slaughtering and consuming a pet dog that had gone missing on a highway after fleeing from firecracker noise.

The four-year-old dog, Yi Yi, was left at the Little Tail Pet Boarding Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, as its owner vacationed in the Maldives for Lunar New Year.

On the Lunar New Year Day of Jan. 29, Yi Yi was startled by firecrackers, escaped from the facility, and went missing.

The owner then offered a 50,000 yuan (US$6,800) reward for her beloved pet, whom she described as the "most cherished member" of her family, the South China Morning Post reported.

Later that day, she discovered that Yi Yi had wandered onto a Shenzhen highway and was struck by a car. Surveillance footage showed two highway patrol workers taking the dog into their company's kitchen, where they slaughtered, cooked, and shared it with eight colleagues.

Yi Yi’s owner reported the incident to the police.

Both the highway company and traffic authorities confirmed that the workers had taken the dog after finding it and later consumed it, according to The Paper.

The company's chef also admitted to the act. A representative from the highway company explained that when the workers found the dog, it showed no signs of life, so they followed protocol by photographing the scene and uploading it to the company’s system.

The workers assumed it was a stray dog and decided to eat it since it was already dead.

The pet boarding center's manager stated they had fully cooperated with the police and accepted full responsibility.

Yi Yi’s owner shared the story on social media on Feb. 8, accusing the road management company's kitchen staff and those involved of violating food safety laws, adding that an investigation was underway. She vowed to sue and donate all compensation received.

The incident has garnered widespread attention on Chinese social media platform Douyin, with many users expressing outrage over the highway workers' actions.

Shenzhen banned the consumption of dog and cat meat in 2020, making it one of the first mainland cities to outlaw the practice. Violators may face fines of up to 10 times the value of the goods.