This is excellent news despite the conclusion to this story. A series of brutal videos featuring the abuse of cats and dogs have been on the Chinese internet (the Chinese internet is censored so it is different to the Western internet) for a while. There are other aspects to the Chinese way of life which can incorporate deeply troubling cruelty to animals.

In the past there has been some activism against this by both Chinese people and outsiders from other countries. In this instance it appears that Chinese people only decided that they have had enough of this deviant behaviour and became vigilantes; a dangerous idea in China but not doubt driven by a deep concern for animal welfare and frustration at the apathy of the authorities.

Six animal rights activists abducted two Chinese men who they incorrectly suspected of being involved in the torture of cats and dogs.

They attacked the men (Liu and Yi). One vigilante is allegedly a woman named Xu. She allegedly threw a mixture of cat litter and cat faeces at one of the men.

Going further, one of the six stuffed cat sh*t into the mouths of the victims. An appropriate action if he was the right person.

Personally I support their behaviour despite its illegality because it is necessary as nothing is being done by the authorities to stop animal cruelty. However, I don’t support abusing the wrong people! These men appear to be innocent of any animal abuse.

The six have been accused (charged?) with picking quarrels and provoking trouble. This is a crime and they may end up being imprisoned for up to five years. That would be a great shame because their commitment to trying to improve animal welfare in China is commendable.

I like this story because it hints that there is a body of Chinese people living in China who have had enough of animal cruelty and the lack of action to prevent it by the authorities. I hope it indicates a subtle change in the attitude of the Chinese people to animal welfare. China has a very poor animal and human rights record. The international community should ostracise China for this reason but don’t because the West is dependent on China for goods and loans. Money always trumps animal welfare.