Target: Liu Guohong, Director General, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, People’s Republic of China
Goal: Demand meaningful legal consequences for the man allegedly caught on video forcing a muzzled golden retriever to power his bicycle while whipping the animal with a stick.
A deeply disturbing video that went viral online seemingly shows an elderly man in China’s Jiangsu province forcing his pet golden retriever to run under the seat of a modified electric bicycle — with the machine’s battery removed and replaced by the dog as a living power source. According to reports, the dog was restrained with a rein and muzzled, rendering it entirely unable to resist or cry out. The man was reportedly filmed holding a stick in his right hand which he used to whip the animal. The footage was captured by another road user and spread rapidly online, drawing widespread condemnation and allegations of animal abuse.
According to reports, local traffic police tracked down the man but only issued him an informal warning — described as an “education” — on account of his age as a senior citizen. No charges were filed and no meaningful legal consequences were imposed.
Allowing an individual to allegedly force a muzzled, restrained dog to power a vehicle under the threat of a stick — and then excusing the conduct on the basis of the offender’s age — sends a deeply troubling message about the enforceability of China’s animal protection standards. Age is not a licence to abuse animals, and a warning is not a consequence. The relevant authorities must ensure this case is reviewed under China’s existing animal welfare provisions and that appropriate legal accountability is imposed.
PETITION LETTER:
Director Liu Guohong,
We are writing with grave concern following a widely circulated video seemingly showing an elderly man in Jiangsu province who modified his electric bicycle to use his muzzled golden retriever as a living power source. According to reports, the dog was restrained by a rein, muzzled to prevent it from making noise, and whipped with a stick to force it to run beneath the weight of the rider and bicycle frame. The video was filmed by a fellow road user and rapidly spread online, drawing widespread public outrage.
We are deeply troubled that local authorities responded to this alleged abuse by issuing only an informal verbal warning, citing the man’s age as a mitigating factor. The physical condition imposed on this animal — muzzled, restrained, whipped, and forced to run under load — constitutes a serious allegation of cruelty that should not be excused on the basis of the offender’s age. Equal application of animal welfare standards is essential to their credibility and effectiveness.
We respectfully demand that your office direct a formal review of this case, ensure that appropriate legal accountability is imposed under China’s applicable animal welfare provisions, and use this case as an opportunity to reinforce that the alleged forced labour and physical abuse of animals — regardless of the offender’s age or status — will not be tolerated. This dog was allegedly muzzled so it could not cry out. We ask that you be its voice.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Dirk Vorderstraße
