Blocked by censors, China’s animal lovers take fight against abuse offline and overseas

When videos showing the horrific killingof a stray dog and her puppies sparked outrage on the Chinese internet in June, Beijing’s censorship machine kicked into action. But what was unusual this time was that it pitted the shocked and angry voices against authorities who said they were concerned about the four boys involved, all of them younger than 14. “We urge the public not to disseminate related information, to reject cyberbullying, and to work together to create a good environment for the growth of minors,” reads an official statement.

But the restrictions only seemed to spur the outcry. China’s animal lovers have now taken their fight offline and abroad, even putting up billboards in New York to drum up support. Disturbing footage showing the boys in the city of Jieyang, Guangdong province, hitting three puppies with sticks before setting their mother on fire emerged online at the end of June.

The boys were seen laughing as the dog, named Wang Wang, burned. Jieyang authorities said last month that the boys would not face criminal charges and would instead be sent to a “specialised school”, but did not elaborate.