Pet Lover Studies Law For 700 Days To Put Man Who Poisoned Her Dog In Jail
Li Yihan also quit her full-time job to dedicate her time and effort to her cause.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 01 Oct 2024, 04:30 PM
In an extraordinary show of determination, a woman in China has spent 700 days studying law in hopes of putting the man who poisoned her beloved pet dog, Papi, behind bars
The incident, which has triggered widespread attention across mainland China, marks the first time a case of pet poisoning has become the subject of criminal proceedings in Beijing.
According to South China Morning Post, Li Yihan, whose white West Highland Terrier was poisoned in a children’s playground in the capital, was devastated by the loss.
On September 14, 2022, Papi, along with several other dogs and cats, fell victim to rat poison-laced chicken scattered by a local man.
Papi suffered for over seven agonising hours before passing away from the poison
"I can’t even describe the pain," Li told Chinese media outlet Youth36kr.
She considered the 13-year-old dog a member of her family.
The 65-year-old man, identified by his surname Zhang, reportedly spread the poison in retaliation after dogs urinated on his tricycle.
While animal poisoning has frequently occurred in China, culprits usually face only minor penalties
The penalties typically include financial compensation or short detentions, as the country lacks a dedicated pet protection law.
However, Li was determined to ensure Zhang faced harsher consequences for his actions.
"The value of a pet cannot be measured in monetary terms," she explained, hoping to set a precedent by sending Zhang to prison.
Li’s fight for justice has taken a significant toll on her life. She quit her job, purchased law books, and began working with legal experts to build a case against Zhang
She regularly updated her 55,000 Douyin followers on the progress of her case, using social media as a platform to rally support and keep the issue alive.
In February last year, Li officially filed a lawsuit against Zhang, seeking compensation for the medical expenses she incurred during Papi’s final hours and for the emotional trauma she endured.
Under Chinese law, if a poisoning case results in damages exceeding 200,000 yuan (RM119,126), the perpetrator can face life imprisonment.
However, the trial has dragged on, largely due to the difficulty in assessing the value of the affected pets
Zhang’s sentencing remains delayed, with the court pushing the deadline for a verdict to 17 December.
Despite the uncertainty, Li remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
“The longest sentence I’ve seen in a pet poisoning case in China is three years and seven months. My friend told me that if Zhang could get at least four years, this would be my win,” she told reporters.
