These dogs were once prized, now they are struggling to survive alone

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Dogs who were once prized as status symbols for wealthy people in China, are now struggling to survive alone as they are abandoned en masse thanks to a decline in the economy. According to multiple sources, Tibetan mastiffs, which held the title of “world’s most expensive dog,” are being abandoned by people who either can no longer care for them, or by individuals who had been breeding them for high-dollar profit. Adding to the problem, many cities have forbidden residents from owning the dogs because of their tremendous size.

The abandonment of these massive dogs (weighing upward of 250 pounds) has created a multitude of problems. Dogs left to fend for themselves are reported to be killing livestock to survive – and at times, threatening people. Dogs who are found and taken into animal shelters are likely to spend the rest of their life without a real home – and the number of mastiffs being sheltered burdens the agencies which strive to care for them.

As reported by the Tribune India, local governments have discussed “mercy killings” of the dogs in an effort to keep the numbers down. According to the Daily Mail, some of the discarded dogs have even been sent to slaughter houses to be used as dog meat.

The problem seems to be compounded because the abandoned dogs are not all sterilized, and keep reproducing. One shelter (Surmang Namgyaltse), established at a monastery in 2016, is reportedly caring for over 1,000 abandoned Tibetan mastiffs – a staggering number, especially with the harsh reality that most will never be adopted out to a family.

(image via Pixaby and screenshot via Daily Mail)

 

More news and updates at the National Animal News Facebook page.


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11 COMMENTS

  1. What can you expect from a country that eats dogs/cats? It is populated by so called ‘humans’ whose only priority is keep up with ancient ‘traditions’ that treat animals like trash.

    • This is so sad. Why does this country do things like this? The people there go from one extreme to another.
      HELL they steal dogs to torture to skin alive or just boil alive. These people r sick in the head. I don’t think any amount of education will help.
      But, one thing that puzzles me.
      When it comes to so many things these people r so smart but, when it comes to animals, they r about as stupid as it comes.

      • So are Americans. It’s called Factory Farms, torture of animals 24/7 subsidized by our government. Most people eat meat so that means they approve of animal torture. Same crime just a different animal.

    • Nancy – unless you are a vegan and don’t use any animal products you are no different than the Chinese. We (HUMAN BEINGS) are the problem, not one particular race. We all need to take responsibility for the suffering WE cause other beings. It is so easy for you to blame them, but if you wear leather, wool or eat any animal products, you are just as much to blame in the suffering of animals as the Chinese — you just don’t see it. I feel for these dogs, that they are treated as a commodity, the same way I feel for chickens, dogs, cats, sheep, cows, horses, donkeys, and every other animal is treated in THIS country. If you want change, you need to be that change…so what steps are YOU taking?

      • I’m a vegan, but, I take umbrage when other vegans criticize those that still eat meat. Dogs were domesticated. Farms animals were raised to be eaten for centuries. It will take sometime for people to hopefully change their diet to veganism. Lets not be a hypocrite. I’m sure you indulged in meat and dairy products for many years before becoming a vegan.

  2. This just shows that people need education about animals. You don’t breed them just to make money and because a certain breed is “in style.” Poor babies!

  3. Well, China itself will not do anything to help, so it is the volunteers and shelters that are taking in these unwanted Tibetan mastiff, many of whom are not spayed or neutered, which causes other problems. People abandon these dogs because of the cost to take care of them and Chinese government will not help those families that want to keep their dogs. Horrible that so many of these dogs are not just abandoned to fend for themselves (something they’ve never done before). This world has become so uncaring to the most defenseless and this is a reflection on how humans are now. Wish there was a way to help these animals or at least facilities that have rescued them.

    • Adrienne, I totally agree with you this just breaks my heart, how can they do this and think its ok yet they also boil dogs live and they don’t care at all about how much pain they are giving those poor souls all the while they are screaming out in horrific pain. I CANT STAND CHINA THEY ARE CRUEL A**WHOLES, I pray for the karma bus to come around and they suffer the worst painful death.

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