A group of dogs has proven that 'team work makes the dream work' after escaping dog meat thieves and journeying back home to their owners in China.
Image: Unsplash
A pack of seven dogs has captured global attention after a remarkable escape from alleged thieves in northeastern China, in what many are calling one of the most heart-warming animal stories of the year.
According to Chinese media reports, the dogs - believed to have been stolen for a dog meat operation - managed to break free and journey back home together.
Their incredible trek unfolded in Changchun, in China’s Jilin province, where a passerby first spotted them.
On March 16, a netizen identified only as Lu filmed the group walking along a busy highway.
The now-viral footage shows the dogs moving in formation, surrounding an injured German Shepherd while ensuring no one was left behind.
A Corgi appeared to lead the group, frequently glancing back to check on the others.
The pack included a mix of breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Pekinese and the injured German Shepherd - adding to the emotional impact of the footage.
“They resemble a band of little brothers in distress, moving in unison – nothing like stray dogs,” Lu told local outlet Dahe Daily.
Despite Lu’s attempts to guide them to safety, the dogs ignored his calls and continued on their determined journey.
He later shared the video on Douyin, urging authorities to intervene.
Animal rescue organisation Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base responded swiftly, deploying volunteers and even a drone to track the dogs’ movements. Their efforts paid off.
By March 19, all seven dogs had safely returned to their owners, who came from three separate households in the same village.
The highway where they were first seen is approximately 17 kilometres from their home.
The story has since gone viral, amassing more than 230 million views online and sparking emotional reactions from netizens worldwide.
One TikTok user, @lululaptop, wrote: “This is the happiest I’ve been all year,” while another, @eviljester38, added: “We don’t deserve dogs!”
Others joked about the dogs’ teamwork, with one comment from @suacybbq reading: “Even dogs have more teamwork than me and my classmates.”
One relieved owner said he was grateful his missing German Shepherd and Golden Retriever made it back safely, adding, “We are so lucky they came back, not to be eaten.”
Another owner praised her Corgi’s intelligence and strong homing instincts, noting it had always been particularly clever.
While the dogs’ safe return has brought relief and joy, questions remain about the alleged thieves, with no further updates reported at this stage.