A woman in China, who studied law for 700 days after her pet dog was poisoned, is determined to use her knowledge to ensure the culprit faces jail time.
This case marks the first instance in Beijing where pet poisoning has become a criminal matter. Previously, those responsible for such acts faced only fines or short-term detention since China lacks specific laws for pet protection. Li Yihan, the woman at the center of the case, considered her dog Papi, a white West Highland Terrier, as part of her family.
On September 14, 2022, Papi was among several dogs and cats poisoned in Beijing. Li shared with mainland media outlet Youth36kr that 13-year-old Papi endured more than seven hours of suffering before passing away. Police later revealed that a 65-year-old man, surnamed Zhang, had spread rat poison-laced chicken in a children’s playground. Zhang confessed, explaining that he acted out of frustration after dogs urinated on his tricycle. Reports of pet poisoning in China are not uncommon; for example, in early September, two men in Beijing were detained for 12 days for poisoning a dog, and in July, the owner of a Border Collie in Hebei received 3,000 yuan (US$430) in compensation after the dog was poisoned.
Li, however, believes that no monetary sum can truly reflect the value of a pet and is adamant that Zhang should face jail time. In September 2022, she quit her job and started studying law, purchasing books and collaborating with lawyers to gather evidence. Li has also been actively posting updates on social media, gaining 55,000 followers on Douyin. In February 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Zhang, seeking compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress.
Chinese law stipulates that if a poisoning incident causes damages exceeding 200,000 yuan (US$28,000), the offender could face a life sentence. However, Zhang’s trial has been prolonged for nearly two years due to the challenge of assessing the value of the affected pets. As of now, Li and the families of the other 10 poisoned dogs are still waiting for the court’s decision, with the final verdict expected by December 17.
Li acknowledges that the outcome might not meet her expectations but has vowed to appeal if necessary. She told Youth36kr, “The longest sentence I’ve seen in a pet poisoning case in China was three years and seven months. A friend told me that if Zhang receives at least four years, it would be a victory for me.” She added, “I hope other pet owners will find the courage to stand up for their pets.” Li’s pursuit of justice has resonated with many on mainland social media.
