A shocking video of a Rottweiler mauling a two-year-old girl in China has prompted a crackdown by local authorities on stray dogs that some argue has now gone too far.
Authorities were initially praised for their swift response to the incident, but netizens soon began sharing accounts of stray canines in their neighborhood being roughly rounded up and, in some cases, put down.
The new directive to clamp down on large, unleashed dogs is being cited as the latest example of a knee-jerk reaction by Chinese authorities that also highlights the country’s long-standing struggle with animal rights and welfare.
“Just because a large dog bit a child, all of them are being hunted down by ruthless security guards and police,” one user wrote on Chinese social media Weibo under the hashtag “Will the biting of the girl bring stigma to a large dog?” viewed by almost 1 million users.
“Such a one-size-fits-all approach makes me really sad,” she said.
Video of the October 16 attack shows the girl stepping out of a residential compound with her mother in Chongzhou, in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, and immediately being chased and bitten by a large black Rottweiler.
The mother tries to shield her daughter from the dog, but then tries to pull her back as the animal drags the child around.
A cleaner who comes to help with a broom also fails to drive the dog away.
A man finally succeeds in chasing the Rottweiler away with a wooden stick.
By that time, the mother is sitting on the ground, crying, with her daughter in her arms.
Calls to add Rottweilers to list of banned dogs after string of attacks
The toddler was admitted to hospital, where she was treated for a ruptured kidney, fractured ribs and bite marks on various parts of her body, several Chinese state media outlets reported.
Authorities caught the Rottweiler and detained its owner, according to state media.
Since then, local authorities in a raft of provinces including Shandong, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Hunan, Anhui have stepped up law enforcement, some more heavy-handed than others.
Stray dogs are the main targets, but pets who are unleashed can also be subject to control measures.
Most local police said they would ramp up patrols to round up stray dogs and fine owners who fail to put their dogs on a leash.
More robust approaches include police in Yanzhou in Shandong vowing to hunt down “mad dogs” and euthanize them.
The country is home to 40 million stray dogs, according to the 2021 China Pet Industry white paper.
In the past, strays have been blamed for rabies outbreaks and authorities have attempted to control their numbers with culls.
In one case that triggered an outpouring of grief online, a small stray dog – known as Xiao Huang, or little yellow – was taken away in a net by security personnel at a university campus in Chongqing and beaten to death, according to state-affiliated media.
Many netizens were perplexed by the decision to kill a tiny dog, whose image is being shared on Weibo with the hashtag “straydogxiaohuang,” with a call for greater rights for stray dogs.
The university said the canine had entered the student dormitory, posing a threat to the safety, according to state-affiliated news outlet Beijing Time.
In Shanghai, images of police officers descending on a local neighborhood and dragging away a German Shepherd also sparked fury online.
Many netizens believe the dog was old and did not pose a danger to the community.
But Shanghai authorities said they were acting on complaints from neighbors about an aggressive dog and that it was “taken in and dealt with,” according to a post on their WeChat account.
This is not the first time Chinese authorities have been accused of being heavy-handed with animals.
During Covid, some pet owners complained that their dogs were beaten to death when they were taken away for quarantine, anecdotes that sparked uproar across the internet.
A number of netizens praised the authorities for taking proactive steps, but most warned against the consequences of going overboard.
Celebrities also joined the chorus of animal lovers to call for better understanding.
Chinese actress and singer Cya Liu, who won Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards last year, called for an end to the killing.
“Not all stray dogs are bad just as not all men are good,” she wrote on Weibo, with the hashtag “voicing out for stray dogs.”
Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre Of Guangyuan in Sichuan wrote on Tumblr-like Chinese social media Meipian that China should be using its development to instill a better sense of social responsibility and a respect for animals in people.
“Beating and catching dogs at every turn. Let the world see what our great motherland is like,” it said.
Incredible Discovery: Resilient Canine Finds Hope in Dumped Lands, Embraces a Bright Future with a Kind Rescuer.
Prepare to be touched as we unveil a heartwarming narrative that defies all expectations. Set against the backdrop of a desolate landfill, a remarkable canine discovered a new lease on life thanks to the boundless compassion of a compassionate woman. This awe-inspiring account not only showcases the transformative power of love but also demonstrates the unwavering resilience of animals in the face of dire circumstances. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of this fortunate pooch and the extraordinary woman whose actions forever changed its destiny.
In the dimly lit corners of an expansive landfill, an unsuspecting protagonist emerged – a dog with a unique deformity whose inner light outshone its bedraggled appearance. Neglected and forgotten, this resilient creature spent its days foraging for scraps and seeking refuge, battling against the relentless forces of nature and the apathy of its surroundings. Against all odds, this underdog became a symbol of hope, defying the harsh realities of its existence.
On a day filled with serendipity, Sarah, an individual infused with a deep adoration for creatures great and small, chanced upon the landfill. Gazing upon the bleak panorama, her heart plummeted witnessing the dog’s contorted figure and the profound sadness reflected in its eyes. Undeterred by the obstacles presented, Sarah discerned a flicker of determined fortitude within the canine, prompting her to embrace a transformative choice – to provide the dog with a forever home.
Sarah approached her newfound companion’s care with unwavering resolve. She reached out to veterinarians, specialists, and rehabilitation centers, gathering a team to address the dog’s deformities and provide essential treatments. Guided by patience, love, and numerous hours of therapy, the dog surprisingly started to exhibit positive responses that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
The Saddest Canine of 2023: Abandoned by its Owner in the Wilderness, Struggling to Survive in the WildWord quickly spread about the incredible saga of this resilient dog, and Sarah’s extraordinary act of kindness was met with an outpouring of support from the community. Strangers and kind-hearted volunteers came together, offering their time and resources to assist in the dog’s complete recovery and eventual reintegration into society. Gradually, the dog, which used to be timid and solitary, started to flourish, revealing a lively nature that deeply impacted anyone who encountered it.
The awe-inspiring narrative of perseverance and salvation deeply moved individuals across the globe. The incredible journey of the disfigured canine and its remarkable metamorphosis sparked feelings of hope and empathy, motivating numerous individuals to embrace empathy over superficial judgments and extend a helping hand to those facing adversity. Sarah’s selfless gesture serves as a poignant reminder that even the most marginalized among us can discover affection, contentment, and a sense of meaning with a little support from a compassionate spirit.
The extraordinary tale of an unconventional canine’s adventure from a garbage dump to a nurturing household reveals the incredible strength of empathy and the profound influence it can have on both humans and animals. It stands as a testament to the unstoppable resilience of animals and the immeasurable capacity for affection that dwells within every individual. May this narrative serve as a guiding light, reminding us that even when confronted with challenges, extraordinary revelations and life-altering experiences await those who embrace compassion.
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