Seven dogs walked 10.5 miles back to their village after escaping a kidnapper — all led by one determined Corgi

Dogs may not be the smartest animals in the world, but a pack of seven canines in Northeast China proved their intelligence and resourcefulness after being kidnapped, and the internet cannot stop talking about them.

The dogs are a mix of breeds, including a Corgi, a German Shepherd, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Pekingese. Videos of the dogs went viral on March 16, after a passerby spotted them on the Changsong (Changchun) Highway, walking in formation, with the Corgi in front. The dogs reportedly walked 17 km (10.56 miles) back to return to their village.

A video shared by Red Hot Chocolate Connection (@redhotchocolateconnection) on Instagram shows the dogs walking together on the side of the road. 

A volunteer said that the dogs were taken in a truck driven by a group of people who worked for a dog meat shop. Luckily, the pack escaped and made their way back home, with the Corgi leading in front. Passersby who saw the dogs noted that there was an injured German Shepherd walking in the middle, surrounded by the other dogs to protect it.

Later on, more footage emerged of the dogs passing by busy roads and nearby fields, navigating unfamiliar places, to find their way back to their respective owners. Another video posted on X by @yodaforever has also gained traction among users of the platform, with over 18.1 million views.

All seven dogs belonged to the same village but had three different owners. They would often be seen roaming together and are believed to be friends, according to the South China Morning Post. While the dogs were trying to make their way back, the owners did not just sit back and wait.

Volunteers started a search party for them, which included sending out groups of people and using drones to locate them. The dogs finally returned home to their respective owners on March 19, according to a volunteer who spoke to Jimu News.

Dog theft is considered to be a criminal offense in China, but despite the legal implications, people still continue to engage in this cruel activity. Humane World of Animals reported that at least 30 million dogs are killed each year all around the world for their meat. Out of these, roughly 10 million dogs are killed in China every year. People working with Humane World of Animals are advocating ways and means to end the dog meat trade around the world.

At the moment, Humane World of Animals Korea and local groups have managed to get a ruling to ban the dog trade in South Korea, which will start from 2027. In China, people are still working towards convincing the National People’s Congress to create rules and laws for animal welfare.

Several netizens have commented on the post, noting how the dogs are protective of each other, especially of the injured German Shepherd. People also commented on how the dogs must have had wonderful owners, since they are trying to make their way back to them. @karenannemorris8476 said, "They must have a good home to make their way back to it. Hopefully, more care will be taken to ensure their safety." @lubashantel commented, "[Not] Them checking up on the German shepherd." @manchaiscute wrote, "They are so brave, kind to one another, and smart."

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