Human Rights Watch reports that two incidents of videoed cruelty toward stray animals in China in late June and earlier in June spark widespread online outrage and prompt a government response that includes censorship and dispersal. In Jieyang, Guangdong province, videos showed four boys mistreating and burning a dog and her puppies; the images and videos spread rapidly online. Public reaction included billboards and advertisements in more than 100 cities calling for an end to animal abuse, and an online petition with more than 70,000 signatures demanding accountability and a national animal protection law. Supporters abroad also promoted related messages through crowdfunding and paid advertisements.
On June 30, authorities acknowledged the abuse occurred and discussed consequences for those responsible, while also urging “netizens not to spread related information.” After that, social media posts related to the incident were removed, including content associated with “Wang Wang,” the generic name supporters used for the puppies’ mother. The report also says police questioned, threatened, and dispersed activists, including taking down memorial advertisements from public screens in several cities.
HRW also describes an earlier case in Chongqing, where police forcibly dispersed hundreds of residents who protested another alleged dog abuse incident, injuring some people and temporarily taking others away before detaining suspected abusers under public pressure.
