Shadow, Sassy and Chance may have inspired a group of dogs in China to make their own journey home.
Unlike the fictitious original trio from “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” who thought they were abandoned and left home to find their owners, these seven dogs in China were stolen from their village. They somehow escaped their captors and traveled nearly 11 miles across busy roads and open country to return home, according to CBS Chicago.
The seven dogs were fleeing thieves who are reportedly connected to a dog meat shop, according to the South China Morning Post.
A video taken by a passerby showed the group navigating a highway near Changchun, in Jilin province, in a very coordinated manner. Instead of scattering, the dogs remained calm and close together as they maneuvered through the unfamiliar territory.
According to the South China Morning Post, the group included several different breeds, including golden retrievers, Labradors, a Pekingese and a German Shepherd. A corgi appeared to be the pack’s fearless leader, repeatedly glancing back to make sure no one was left behind.
Witnesses reported that the canines could not be deterred from their destination, even when people tried to intervene. Local rescuers later confirmed that all seven dogs were from the same village and are known to roam and play together regularly.
Did the muttley crew make it home?
The group’s journey ended on March 19, when they made it home to their village and were all reunited with their respective owners, CBS Chicago reported.
Dog meat consumption in China
While Chinese law does not explicitly prohibit eating dog meat, Shenzhen became the first mainland city to ban the consumption of cats and dogs in 2020, as reported by The Guardian.
“The signal is the first ever from a ministry that dogs are not food animals,” Paul Littlefair, international head of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told The Guardian at the time.
Although eating dog meat is not a crime under national law, dog theft is a criminal offense. Penalties include fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value, according to the South China Morning Post.