China: Seven stolen dogs escape from thieves, travel 17 km to return home

A heartwarming video capturing their journey—highlighting loyalty, friendship, and survival—is now going viral online.

The footage, recorded by a local resident identified as Lu, shows the group moving in remarkable coordination.

The dogs can be seen surrounding an injured German Shepherd, while a Corgi leads from the front, repeatedly turning back as if to ensure no one is left behind.

The group also included Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Pekingese dogs.

“They looked like a band of brothers in distress, moving in unison—nothing like stray dogs,” Lu told Chinese outlet Dahe Daily, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.

According to the Bitter Coffee Stray Dog Base, the dogs belonged to the same village and were known to roam freely together, forming strong bonds over time.

A volunteer told the publication that the animals had allegedly been stolen by individuals linked to a dog meat shop and may have escaped from a transport vehicle, although no one witnessed the exact moment of their escape.

The dogs were eventually rescued and later returned safely to their homes.

One relieved owner said his missing pets—a German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever—had made it back. “We are so lucky they returned… not to be eaten,” he said.

The owner of the Corgi also praised the dog’s intelligence and leadership in guiding the group home.

Dog theft is a criminal offence in China, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on the value of the animals.