A passerby captured the dogs walking together and recorded a video. He shared it on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, urging local authorities to help.
In a plot that feels straight out of a movie, seven dogs in China staged a miraculous “great escape” after allegedly being kidnapped by thieves working for a meat shop. The canine crew, snatched from their homes and destined for a grim fate, managed to outsmart their captors and navigate the long journey back to safety. A video of a corgi leading the pack, with other dogs, including a German shepherd, following it, has gone viral on social media.
An individual surnamed Lu recorded the scene along a busy highway in China’s Changchun, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. While recording the video, Lu attempted to guide the dogs to safety, but the group stayed on their route. He then shared the video on Chinese social media platform Douyin, urging the local authorities to help.
“They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs,” he told local media.
What does the video show?
In the video, the dogs are seen walking together at the side of a road. A corgi, usually seen at the front of the group, keeps looking back. Another German shepherd limps along behind, but the group waits for the dog to catch up.
In addition to the corgi and the German shepherd, the group also had Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Pekingese dogs.
According to the local Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base, the dogs probably come from the same village, reported SCMP. The organisation suggested that it is highly likely the animals roam freely together and have thus formed strong friendships.
After the video went viral, the organisation deployed drones to track the dogs and help them return home safely.
Though it’s unclear how the dogs escaped, a volunteer claimed that they may have escaped from a truck when they were stolen and transported by individuals operating a dog meat shop. Lu spotted the group when they were about 17 kilometres away from their village.
The good news is that the dogs ultimately returned to their owners. “We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten,” the owner of a German shepherd and a Golden Retriever from the group told local media. Another owner praised their corgi’s intelligence and bravery.
Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.
They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners..🐶🐾🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/H5VB9BQkGB
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 23, 2026
Is eating dog meat legal in China?
Although Chinese law doesn’t explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog meat, Shenzhen banned the sale of dog and cat meat in 2020. Despite controversy over the issue, some restaurants sell dog meat, especially during winter.
How did social media react?
An individual commented, “Meanwhile, humans get lost with Google Maps, a full tank of gas, and still call AAA. But a corgi leads 6 homies 17km through highways like it’s nothing. We really are the inferior species in this world.” Another added, “Seven dogs. 17 km. Led by a corgi. This isn’t just a story about animals finding their way home; it’s loyalty, leadership, and pure heart on four legs. Imagine being kidnapped, scared, and still travelling together to get back to the people who love you. Meanwhile, humans get lost in their own neighbourhoods. The courage, the coordination, the bond… this is next-level. Someone give that corgi a medal, please.”