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.
Heartwarming scene: The 7-year-old boy refuses to go home after school to help a stray dog exhausted on the roadside.
in the heart of a bustling city, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, a touching scene unfolded that warmed the hearts of all who witnessed it. Street cameras captured a moment of pure compassion and selflessness, as a 7-year-old boy chose kindness over convenience, extending a helping hand to a paralyzed stray dog abandoned on the roadside.
After the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, most children hurried home, eager to embrace the comforts of their familiar surroundings. However, one young soul, a 7-year-old boy named Ethan, lingered on the school grounds. His attention was captured by a sight that would change his life – a stray dog, frail and paralyzed, struggling to move on the roadside. While others passed by without a second glance, Ethan felt an immediate connection with the helpless creature.
Driven by empathy and an innate sense of kindness, Ethan approached the paralyzed dog cautiously, his eyes reflecting a blend of concern and determination. He gently petted the dog, offering the comfort of a human touch, and realized that the dog was in desperate need of assistance. Without a moment’s hesitation, Ethan decided to stay back and help the dog, even if it meant postponing his journey home.
With unwavering determination, Ethan used his backpack to fashion a makeshift stretcher, carefully lifting the dog onto it. Despite his young age, he demonstrated remarkable strength and resourcefulness. With the dog cradled in his arms, he set out on a slow, deliberate journey, his small legs determinedly carrying the burden of his newfound furry friend. Passersby watched in awe and admiration as the young boy navigated the bustling streets, his eyes focused on the well-being of the paralyzed dog in his care.
Ethan’s refusal to go home after school did not go unnoticed. The street cameras captured his act of kindness, and the footage quickly made its way onto social media, capturing the attention of people far and wide. The image of a 7-year-old boy, resolute and compassionate, serving as a guardian angel to a helpless creature, resonated deeply with viewers. Messages of admiration and encouragement flooded the internet, praising Ethan’s extraordinary act of selflessness.
Ethan’s parents, upon learning about their son’s noble deed, felt an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. They recognized that their child possessed a heart of gold and an innate understanding of compassion. They supported Ethan’s decision wholeheartedly, reinforcing the values of kindness, empathy, and responsibility that he had displayed.
As news of Ethan’s act of compassion spread, the local community rallied together to ensure the well-being of the paralyzed dog. Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and concerned citizens offered their assistance, providing medical care, rehabilitation, and a safe haven for the injured dog. The story of Ethan’s selfless act inspired others to extend their support, leading to a collective effort to provide a better life for the once-abandoned canine.
Ethan’s story became a symbol of hope and compassion, a testament to the impact that a single act of kindness, no matter how small, can have on the lives of others. His actions served as a reminder that empathy knows no age, and that even the youngest among us can make a difference in the world. The story of Ethan and the paralyzed stray dog became a beacon of light, illuminating the path toward a kinder, more compassionate society, where the well-being of all living beings is valued and protected.
In the end, Ethan’s story taught the world a valuable lesson – that acts of compassion, no matter how humble, have the power to create ripples of change, transforming lives and inspiring others to follow in the footsteps of kindness. His selfless act will be remembered as a shining example of the boundless potential for goodness that resides within each of us, reminding us all that a single act of kindness can truly make the world a better place.
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