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A 65-year-old man in Beijing, known by the surname Zhang, has been sentenced to four years in prison for the poisoning deaths of nine dogs in a residential complex in the Chaoyang District.
Zhang was found guilty of distributing sodium fluoroacetate, a highly toxic substance used in rodent poison, in the public areas of the housing compound. At least 11 animals, possibly including two stray cats, were exposed to the poison.
This case marks the first criminal prosecution for pet poisoning in Beijing. The investigation began in September 2022, and the trial commenced in October 2023.
While Zhang did not contest his accountability for the poisoning, he failed to provide a clear rationale for his actions, aside from expressing an aversion to dogs. He is anticipated to file an appeal.
The success of the legal proceedings on behalf of the poisoned animals can largely be attributed to the determination of the pet owners, who brought a criminal ancillary civil lawsuit as victims. A key participant in this legal effort was the owner of Papi, a West Highland White Terrier that tragically fell victim to Zhang. Papi’s owner, a woman surnamed Li, who had cared for Papi for 13 years, resigned from her job and dedicated the past three years to studying law and seeking justice for her pet.
Sodium fluoroacetate is extremely dangerous to various mammals and insects. When ingested orally, it can be lethal to humans at doses ranging from 2-10mg/kg. Animals such as dogs, cats, and pigs are particularly vulnerable to poisoning.
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Images: Pexels, Zhongguo Qingnian Bao
Beijing is an exciting city! Stay updated with our weekend summary of the most recent news.