WDA writes to NPC proposing Anti-Animal Cruelty and Companion Animal Protection Legislation

WDA remains steadfast in our long-standing stance that China needs Anti-Animal Cruelty / Companion Animal Protection Law. In the wake of the Jieyang incident, WDA wrote to the National People's Congress to reinforce our legislative proposal. The full letter is as follows:

Proposal on Accelerating the Enactment of an Anti-Animal Cruelty Law or a Companion Animal Protection Law

To: Honorable Director Shen Chunyao

Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

Between late June and mid-July 2026, two consecutive incidents involving the severe abuse and killing of small animals by minors occurred in China, sparking widespread societal concern and reflection.

I. Summary of the Incidents

1. Jieyang, Guangdong Incident: Around June 28, 2026, in Pingpu Village, Xinheng Town, Jiedong District, four minors under the age of 14 abused a stray mother dog and her three half-month-old puppies, who had been fed by local villagers. They repeatedly beat the puppies with sticks until they died, poured gasoline on the mother dog, and set her on fire, resulting in the deaths of the mother dog and all her puppies. After video footage circulated online, the People's Government of Xinheng Town, Jiedong District issued a public bulletin on June 30, stating that the four individuals involved had been sent to a specialized school for education and that police had opened an investigation.

2. Xuzhou, Jiangsu Incident: On the evening of July 13, 2026, in the Sijiliancheng Jinchen residential community in Xuzhou, three boys cornered a small white cat. One of them held a stick and a hammer, pinning the cat to the lawn and beating it to death. The video spread rapidly through property owner messaging groups and online networks. The Jiuli Police Station with jurisdiction over the area intervened that evening, issuing reprimands and educational guidance to the boys involved and their parents. One parent issued a public apology in the property owners' group, stating that the child was imitating others and had been educated and physically disciplined.

Both incidents involved extremely cruel methods and widespread video dissemination, and both involved young minors. They reflect deep-seated issues including a lack of parental supervision, insufficient life education in schools, and a vacuum in animal protection legislation.

II. Legislative Urgency

1. Absence of Specific Legislation: China currently lacks a dedicated law against animal cruelty, making it difficult to accurately define and effectively punish such behaviors.

2. Disconnect Between Protection of Minors and Animal Welfare: Animal cruelty may be an early signal of psychological issues. If unaddressed, it risks escalating into broader societal harms.

3. Conflict with the Rapid Growth of the Pet Economy: By 2025, the number of urban dogs and cats in China exceeded 120 million, with the pet consumer market exceeding RMB 300 billion. At least 20 provinces across the country have designated the pet economy as a key focus within "new consumption" and "modern service industries." However, the lack of nationwide, dedicated legislation to systematically regulate companion animal protection and anti-cruelty responsibilities hinders the healthy, sustainable, and civilized development of the pet economy.

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III. Specific Legislative Proposals

1. Incorporate Specific Legislation into the Legislative Plan: Include the Anti-Animal Cruelty Law or Companion Animal Protection Law in the National People's Congress 2027 Legislative Plan as soon as possible, clearly defining the legal scope of animal abuse, criminal liability, and psychological intervention measures for minors.

2. Establish a National Database: Build a national database for animal abuse incidents to enable cross-departmental information sharing.

3. Enhance Educational Frameworks: Integrate life education and animal protection content under the framework of the Law on the Protection of Minors.

We strongly appeal to the National People's Congress to advance relevant legislation at the earliest opportunity, responding to public concern, fostering a healthier legal environment for minors, and injecting greater humanitarian care and civilized momentum into Chinese modernization.

Sincerely,

Liu Yuanyuan

China Regional Director, World Dog Alliance

July 20, 2026