A shocking and heartbreaking incident has recently sparked outrage in China: around 100 dogs were buried alive in a mass grave nearly seven meters deep, near the country’s border with Mongolia.
According to members of the Yinchuan Dawn animal protection group, digging such a massive pit would have required heavy machinery, raising suspicions that local authorities may have been involved in the cruel act.
The case came to light after a woman discovered her own dog at a landfill site near the border. She reported seeing dozens of stray dogs trapped in a deep pit and shared horrifying photos with the volunteers. Soon after, images of the mass grave were posted on Weibo, igniting public outrage across China.
When volunteers arrived at the site, they heard faint cries beneath the soil. They immediately dug down and managed to rescue four dogs, including a puppy. Sadly, many others had already suffocated, their mouths filled with dirt. Some rescuers said they had to hire excavators, but by the time they arrived, at least six dogs had been crushed to death by the machines.
Even more disturbing, volunteers claimed that many of the dogs’ bodies had been secretly removed by local urban management officials to cover up the incident.
When questioned, local authorities denied all allegations and stated they were also conducting an investigation. Officially, stray dogs are supposed to be captured and relocated to new homes. However, animal activists argue that in reality, many are either buried alive or sold to restaurants for meat.
This appalling case has reignited calls for stronger animal protection laws in China.