Trending News: A Beijing court is reportedly hearing a case of dog poisoning, which is making news in China. This is said to be "the first time" that poisoning of a pet animal is witnessing criminal proceedings in the nation's capital. Behind this legal milestone is the hard work of a woman who "studied law for 700 days" after her own pet dog died after it was poisoned to ensure the culprit is sent to jail for the offence, the South China Morning Post reported.
According to the report, suspects in such cases would only face short detentions or some financial sanctions in the past in the absence of a dedicated pet protection law in China.
On September 14, 2022, a number of cats and dogs were reportedly poisoned in Beijing. Li Yihan’s 13-year-old pet dog Papi was one of them.
The white West Highland Terrier was like family to Li, who said Papi suffered for more than seven hours before death, the SCMP report said quoting local media outlet Youth36kr.
The culprit, as per local police, is a 65-year-old man who had scattered chicken laced with rat poison in a playground to avenge dogs that had apparently urinated on his tricycle, the report said.
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Verdict Likely On December 17
Reports of pet poisoning are said be common in China.
On September 3, two men were handed out 12 days' administrative detention for poisoning a dog in Beijing. A man who poisoned a Border Collie in July in Hebei escaped law by paying 3,000 yuan (around Rs 35,000) to its owner.
Seeking jail term for the man who poisoned Papi, Li has said a pet's value cannot be measured in monetary terms. According to the SCMP report, she quit her job in September 2022, studies law books and worked with practising lawyers to collect evidence.
She took her cause to social media also, posting regular updates on Douyin.
Li finally filed a lawsuit against 65-year-old Zhang in February 2023, seeking compensation for the medical expenses she incurred on her pet and the emotional damage it did to her.
In China, the perpetrator of poisoning can face life in prison if it causes more than 200,000 yuan (nearly Rs 24 lakh) in damage.
Zhang’s trial has been going on since, and according to the report difficulty is being faced towards assessing the victimised pets' value.
Not only Li, but the the families of 10 other affected dogs are also awaiting the verdict, which is now likely on December 17.
Li has said she would appeal if the final verdict does not satisfy her.