Imagine your pet dog gets stolen, slaughtered and eaten — this influencer’s nightmare came true

A disturbing case from central China has gone viral after a well-known “celebrity dog” with over 1.5 million followers was stolen and later killed after being mistaken for a stray.

The dog, an 8-year-old border collie named Chutou, belonged to travel content creator Guo from Henan province. Over the years, Chutou had become a familiar face online, regularly appearing in videos and photos as the influencer documented road trips across China.

The situation took a tragic turn when Guo was travelling abroad in Georgia. He received a call from his family informing him that the dog had gone missing. CCTV footage later showed two individuals taking the animal away on an electric scooter.

Alarmed, Guo immediately ended his trip and returned to China to search for his pet.

Within days, he managed to trace one of the individuals involved. The man claimed he believed the dog was a stray and said it had followed him after being called. Guo, however, disputed this, pointing out that the dog was clearly wearing a collar and had a tracking device.

Further investigation revealed that Chutou had been taken to a local meat restaurant and sold for around 180 yuan (approximately $34). When confronted, the accused reportedly showed no remorse, insisting he had not broken any law and stating bluntly that the dog was already dead.

Guo later confronted the restaurant worker who carried out the slaughter, hoping to recover any remains. He was told that even the dog’s fur had already been discarded.

The influencer later filed a police complaint and presented documentation regarding the dog’s value. However, the case has highlighted a broader legal issue in China, where pets are still largely treated as property rather than protected under dedicated animal welfare laws.

As a result, incidents involving animal harm are often addressed through civil claims rather than criminal charges, leaving many pet owners frustrated and calling for reform.

The story has sparked widespread debate online, with many users expressing anger and sadness over how quickly a beloved internet-famous pet’s life ended in such a preventable way.