Over the Lunar New Year, a woman dropped off her dog, Yi Yi, at the Little Tail Pet Boarding Centre in Shenzhen, southern China, before heading to the Maldives for a holiday.
On January 29, the four-year-old pup got spooked by fireworks, ran away from the boarding facility, and disappeared, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Yi Yi was struck by a car
The pet boarding centre, which provides 6 to 8 hours of supervised outdoor playtime in a secure grassy area, had let Yi Yi roam freely that day with the owner’s consent.
After Yi Yi disappeared, the owner put up a 50,000 yuan reward, saying her beloved dog was the most important part of her family.
During her search, she discovered that Yi Yi had wandered onto a highway in Shenzhen, where it was struck by a car and left on the roadside.
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The dog was eaten by 8 people
CCTV footage later revealed that 2 highway patrol officers brought the dog to their company’s kitchen, where it was prepared and eaten by 8 employees.
As reported by mainland media outlet The Paper, both the highway company and traffic police confirmed that the workers took the dog after finding it and later consumed it. The company’s chef also admitted to cooking it.
A spokesperson for the highway company claimed that when the patrol officers discovered the dog, it was already lifeless.
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They thought it was a stray dog
The highway company apologised for what happened and said they’d take strict action against the employees involved.
“The 2 workers followed the rules by taking pictures at the scene and uploading them to the company system. They thought it was a stray dog and, since it was already dead, decided to handle it privately.”
The manager of the pet boarding centre said they’re fully cooperating with the investigation and taking full responsibility.
The dog owner plans to take legal action
On February 8, the dog owner shared an update on social media, revealing that the cafeteria and staff at the highway company had violated food safety regulations and were being investigated.
Devastated, the owner mentioned she had fallen ill and was too sick to speak to the media.
“Yi Yi was struck by a car while trying to run back home. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I will never forget you,” she wrote in a social media post.
She also shared her intention to file a lawsuit and donate any compensation she receives.
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Also read: PDRM Arrests Mechanic for Beating Dog to Death at Keningau Workshop, Allegedly to Cook and Eat It
