7 Stolen Dogs Escaped a Meat Truck in China and Walked 10 Miles Home — Together
A Corgi led the way. A German shepherd limped behind. And somehow, all seven dogs made it back to the people who loved them.
On March 16, a man with the last name Lu was driving along a busy highway in Changchun, Jilin province, in northeastern China, when he spotted something that made him pull out his camera: a group of seven dogs walking together along the road with clear purpose.
According to the South China Morning Post, the video shows the group of dogs surrounding an injured German shepherd, while a Corgi at the front repeatedly looked back to ensure none were left behind. The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever, and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
Lu tried to guide the animals to safety, but the dogs ignored him.
So he did the next best thing — he shared the video on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, urging local authorities to step in.
Where They Came From
What happened next revealed a story no one expected.
The local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base reported that all seven dogs came from the same village, where they typically roamed freely together and had formed strong friendships. One volunteer from the base claimed that individuals operating a dog meat shop had stolen the dogs, suggesting they may have escaped from a truck — though no witnesses saw their departure.
The highway where Lu first spotted them was about 17 km — over 10 miles — from their village.
Think about that for a moment. Seven village dogs, stolen from their homes, broke free from captivity and navigated more than 10 miles of unfamiliar highway together, protecting one another along the way.
The Rescue Effort
After Lu’s video went viral, the Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base dispatched several volunteers and even a drone to track the dogs and facilitate their safe return home.
On March 19, a volunteer informed Jimu News that all seven dogs had returned to their respective owners, who came from three different households.
One owner expressed relief that his missing dogs — a German shepherd and a golden retriever — returned home, stating: “We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.”
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home. Given that the Corgi appeared to be leading the pack in Lu’s footage, that reputation seems well-earned.
230 Million Views and Counting
The dogs’ remarkable journey home has garnered widespread attention online, with videos accumulating over 230 million views.
As of now, no additional information has emerged regarding the dog thieves. In China, dog theft is considered a criminal offence, with penalties that can include fines or imprisonment based on the value of the animal.
Currently, Chinese law does not explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog meat, although Shenzhen became one of the first mainland cities to ban the eating of cats and dogs in 2020.
But the legal landscape seems secondary to what captivated millions of viewers: seven dogs who refused to leave one another behind. A Corgi who kept checking on the group. A pack that surrounded their injured companion rather than abandon him on a highway.
They weren’t strays. They weren’t lost. They knew exactly where they were going — and they were going together.
Footage of the dogs can be viewed here.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
