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.
R𝚎sc𝚞𝚎 c𝚊t w𝚑𝚘 w𝚊s w𝚊itin𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 s𝚘m𝚎𝚘n𝚎 t𝚘 𝚐iv𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘m𝚎!
In the bustling streets, amidst the chaos of everyday life, a stray cat silently weaved her way through the obstacles, searching for solace and companionship. Her weary eyes told a tale of longing, a yearning for the warmth of a loving home. She had become skilled in the art of survival, but her heart yearned for more—she yearned for a human connection.
One day, fortune smiled upon her as a compassionate individual noticed her presence. It was as if they were destined to cross paths, for their souls resonated with a shared desire for companionship. In that moment, a bond was formed, and a rescue mission was set into motion.
With gentle patience, the rescuer approached the cat, extending a hand of trust and reassurance. The cat, cautious yet hopeful, tentatively accepted this offering of kindness. It was a pivotal moment, as the cat allowed herself to be embraced by the love and compassion that had eluded her for so long.
Understanding the urgency of the cat’s situation, the rescuer wasted no time in providing the necessary care. A trip to the veterinarian confirmed the cat’s health and ensured she received vaccinations and necessary treatments. The journey to a better life had begun, and the cat’s spirit seemed to awaken with the promise of a brighter future.
Back at the rescuer’s home, a safe and comfortable environment awaited the cat. A cozy bed, nutritious meals, and a dedicated space filled with toys and scratching posts were all provided, tailored to meet her needs. Slowly, the cat began to shed the scars of her past, embracing the love and security of her newfound haven.
As the days turned into weeks, the cat’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Her wary demeanor gave way to confidence, and her guarded heart opened up to trust. The once-lonely feline now reveled in the joy of human companionship, purring contentedly as she curled up on the laps of her newfound family.
Word of the cat’s rescue spread, capturing the attention of kind-hearted individuals searching for a feline companion. After careful consideration, a loving family came forward, eager to provide the cat with a forever home. It was a match made in heaven, as the cat found herself surrounded by warmth, love, and a sense of belonging she had longed for.
The story of rescuing a cat who patiently waited for a loving home serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the profound impact a safe and nurturing environment can have on the life of a stray animal. It reminds us that there are countless feline souls out there, yearning for love and companionship, waiting for their chance to be rescued.
May this story inspire us to open our hearts and homes to these deserving creatures, offering them the love and care they crave. Together, let us create a world where every stray cat finds solace, where their patient wait for a home is rewarded with the warmth of a loving family, and where the bond between humans and animals flourishes in a sanctuary of compassion and understanding.
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