Chongqing animal abuse case sparks massive protest, police crackdown

In June 2026, a man identified as Li Meng in Chongqing was discovered by animal‑rights volunteers to have been killing a litter of stray dogs he had taken in under the pretense of adoption. He allegedly filmed the killings and sold the videos online for profit.

When volunteers reported the abuse, local police claimed that killing dogs was not illegal and refused to intervene. The incident triggered a large‑scale public outcry, with hundreds of citizens gathering at the suspect’s residential complex for five days, demanding that the perpetrator be punished and that anti‑animal‑abuse legislation be introduced.

Chinese authorities responded by deploying a substantial police presence, sealing off the area, and using force to disperse demonstrators, resulting in arrests and injuries. The crackdown extended to subsequent pet‑related gatherings, which were also blocked. The episode highlights growing animal‑rights activism in China and the government’s sensitivity to independent collective action.