Chinese authorities detained a 39-year-old man in Chongqing after allegations he deceived others into adopting numerous dogs and cats, then tortured and harmed the animals causing injury or death. He also recorded videos of the abuse for online distribution and sale. This incident ignited widespread anger in Chinese society, leading to several days of protests and demands for China to enact serious legislation against animal cruelty.
The heartbreaking case that has stirred intense criticism among animal lovers in China has progressed. Recently, the Chongqing Municipal Police issued an official statement saying they have arrested and detained Mr. Li, a 39-year-old man also known online as "Chongqing Samuel Gua," for 15 days. This is the maximum penalty under China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law. Investigations revealed that Mr. Li used deceit to obtain dogs from others, then inflicted severe injuries and torture that led to the animals' deaths.
However, this penalty has caused strong dissatisfaction among volunteer groups and the public because current Chinese law "lacks direct criminal penalties for animal cruelty." As a result, over 100 people gathered to blockade Mr. Li’s apartment in Jiangbei District and the local police station, continuously demanding justice. Some protesters brought chairs and pitched tents, distributing large pots of food and supplies in the area. Riot police were deployed to maintain order and detained some protesters attempting to film the events.
The case came to light earlier this month after Mr. Li posted advertisements on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, claiming he wanted to adopt dogs for free. He deceived original owners by fabricating stories that "his two children loved puppies," persuading a young woman to hand over a puppy to him.
Later, volunteers found a puppy named "Dongdong" abandoned on the stair railing of Mr. Li’s residence in critical condition: swollen head and broken leg. After being taken to a veterinary hospital, doctors reported the dog had been brutally abused—its teeth sawed down to the gums and its tail cut off. The puppy required urgent blood dialysis and resuscitation. The hospital said after several days of treatment, Dongdong has finally started eating on its own for the first time.
Furthermore, animal rights groups discovered that Mr. Li’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern aimed at filming videos of animal torture to sell in secret online groups.
Volunteers and lawyers from the "Pet Guardians" organization argued that authorities should not have released Mr. Li after just 15 days of detention. They urged applying Article 275 of the Chinese Criminal Law, which addresses "intentional destruction of another person’s property."
Mr. Li’s actions qualify as deception to destroy others’ property. Under Chongqing law, if damages exceed 5,000 yuan (approximately 24,000 baht), it can be prosecuted as a criminal case with imprisonment. Volunteers called on police to review Mr. Li’s dog adoption history from the past 1–2 years to assess the total value of the dogs he deceived and killed, elevating the case to criminal charges.
The incident also affected the WeChat account of the veterinary hospital treating Dongdong, which was temporarily suspended after being reported in the system. The hospital had been live-streaming updates on the dog's condition and received donations totaling 14,416 yuan (about 70,000 baht). The hospital affirmed its integrity, stating it did not solicit funds to create hype and will forward all donations to charities supporting stray animals.
. BBC / global.hk01