Key facts
- A video depicting the killing of a dog and her puppies by minors in China led to public outcry.
- Chinese authorities attempted to censor discussions of the incident, citing the age of the perpetrators.
- Activists are campaigning internationally for China to enact laws against animal cruelty.
- Billboards have been erected in New York and Taiwan to raise awareness of the incident.
- The incident has spurred domestic awareness campaigns and calls for legislative change within China.
China's animal lovers are taking their fight against animal cruelty beyond the country's borders and offline, spurred by a recent incident involving minors that was met with censorship. The horrific killing of a stray dog, named Wang Wang, and her puppies by four boys under 14 in Jieyang, Guangdong province, ignited widespread outrage online.
Authorities cited the age of the boys and urged the public to refrain from discussing the matter, leading to the scrubbing of social media posts. However, this restriction only intensified the outcry, prompting activists to seek international support and lobby for animal cruelty laws, which China currently lacks.
Disturbing footage of the incident, showing the boys hitting puppies with sticks and setting their mother on fire, circulated online. Jieyang authorities stated the boys would not face criminal charges and would instead be sent to a "specialised school." Some reports suggest the boys filmed and uploaded the video, but police have not confirmed this. Censors have attempted to block the video, raising concerns about the potential misidentification of other children.
Despite censorship efforts, discussions persist, with keywords like "Wang Wang" and "animal protection" trending. Celebrities like Du Jiang and Joe Chen have also spoken out, though their posts have reportedly disappeared. Activists are collaborating with international organizations, such as the International Organisation for Animal Protection, to amplify their message.
In a significant move, billboards featuring Wang Wang have been displayed in New York's Times Square and near Taipei 101 in Taiwan, with captions calling for justice and unity. Taiwanese activist CK funded a billboard, aiming to foster a collective voice. Another Taiwanese woman, Elara, utilized AI to translate a summary of the incident into over ten languages for wider dissemination.
Within mainland China, awareness campaigns continue through various means. A cartoon of Wang Wang and her puppies was displayed on a large screen before a football game in Dalian. Homegrown businesses, including beauty brand Amortals and streetwear label Wah Yan Ching Nin, have placed ads calling for an end to animal abuse. Stickers and car decals featuring Wang Wang are also available on e-commerce platforms like Taobao, and online discussions urge continued advocacy.