Seven Stolen Dogs Escape ‘Meat Factory’ And Travel Ten Miles Back Home

Seven stolen dogs are melting hearts online after they escaped what volunteers described as a dog meat operation in northern China and somehow made a roughly 10-mile trek back toward home, sticking together the whole way.

Viral video filmed in Changchun, in Jilin province, shows the mixed-breed pack moving down a busy highway like a team. The dogs range from small to large, including a German shepherd, a Pekingese, Golden retrievers, Labradors and a corgi that appears to lead the group. In one clip, the dogs cluster around an injured German shepherd while the corgi repeatedly looks back, as if counting heads.

The person who recorded the highway footage told Dahe Daily: ‘They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs.’ He said he tried more than once to steer them away from danger, but the animals ignored his calls. He posted the video and urged local authorities to step in.

A second passerby later captured footage of the dogs cutting through nearby fields. Volunteers were then dispatched, along with a drone, to track the animals and help guide them back.

One volunteer said the dogs had been stolen by people connected to a dog meat shop and may have escaped from a truck, though no one reported seeing the dogs bolt. The Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base, a local animal group, said the dogs appeared to come from the same village and likely had strong bonds.

Despite growing pushback, dog meat restaurants still operate in parts of northern China. Some residents claim dog meat provides warmth during long winters, while animal advocates say the trade often relies on strays and stolen pets because it’s cheaper than raising dogs. The Dalian Animal Protection Association has said dog farms are relatively rare because raising dogs is expensive.

Volunteer groups say pet theft has been reported in cities including Changchun, Harbin and Dalian.

On March 19, a volunteer told Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their owners across three households. Based on the timeline of the videos, it’s believed the dogs escaped on March 16 and made it back by March 18. The highway where they were first spotted was about 17 kilometers from their village.

Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.

They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners..🐶🐾🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/H5VB9BQkGB

— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 23, 2026

One owner said his missing German shepherd and Golden retriever made it home, adding: ‘We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.’ Another owner pointed to her corgi’s reputation for being clever and finding its way home, with some praising the dog for leading the group.

There has been no further public information about the suspected thieves. In China, dog theft can be a criminal offense, with penalties including fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.

The dogs’ trek has exploded online, with videos pulling more than 230 million views. One commenter 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 wrote: ‘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.

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