Man who dragged dog to death behind car detained by police for investigation

A man shown on video torturing his pet dog to death has been detained for investigation in eastern China, with his personal information leaked online by angry vigilantes.

The man was apprehended by police officers and taken in for investigation on Monday.

Footage of the incident shows the 43-year-old man, surnamed Qi, driving in downtown Weihai with a dog fastened behind his vehicle being dragged along the road, Dzwww.com reported.

When witnesses forced the man to stop his car, the dog lay still with significant blood loss.

Qi was abused and beaten by some of the witnesses before police arrived on the scene, They took those involved in the altercation, including Qi, to a police station.

The dog was later reported to have died.

Animal rights activists petition Yulin city office in Beijing against annual dog meat festival

As the video went viral online, viewers criticized the driver’s “inhuman” behaviour and called for tougher animal protection laws. Some circulated personal details of the driver, including his full name, license plate number, home address and contact information.

A man who claimed to be Qi’s brother posted online that the dog had rabies and had bitten people that morning. He said Qi wanted to find a new place for the dog but it would not get in the vehicle so he decided to drive slowly and drag it behind.

A witness said the dog had bitten three people and Qi did not dare approach it.