A disturbing discovery on a highway in southwestern China has sparked a major online debate after dozens of dead pets were reportedly found along a long stretch of road during the Chinese New Year travel rush. A Chinese blogger said he discovered 62 pet carcasses scattered along nearly 300 kilometres of expressway while driving from Leshan in Sichuan province to Chongqing. Many of the animals appeared to be domestic pets such as cats and dogs, leading to growing concerns that they may have died during unsafe transport by their owners. The incident quickly gained attention across Chinese social media platforms where thousands of users expressed shock, sadness and anger over the apparent mistreatment of animals during one of the country’s busiest travel periods.
The man who documented the scene said the discovery happened while he was travelling along the highway and repeatedly noticed animal bodies lying along the roadside. According to his account, around eight of the animals were dogs while the majority were cats. Several of them appeared to be pets rather than stray animals because some were wearing clothing and others had clearly groomed fur. He recorded parts of the journey and later shared the footage online. The video spread rapidly and triggered widespread discussion among internet users. Many viewers said they were heartbroken after seeing the animals and questioned how such a large number of pets could have ended up dead along a major highway.
The blogger believes the deaths may have been caused by unsafe methods used to transport animals during the holiday travel rush. In recent years more families in China have started taking pets with them when returning home for the Lunar New Year. While responsible owners transport animals inside carriers or cages placed inside vehicles, some drivers reportedly hang animals outside cars using bags or ropes attached to the rear of the vehicle. Others place pets on top of cars or suspend them near the trunk area to save space inside crowded vehicles. These practices expose animals to strong winds, sudden vehicle movements and traffic accidents, greatly increasing the risk of injury or death during long highway journeys.
Veterinary specialists say long distance travel can be extremely stressful for animals that are not used to car journeys. Experts explain that pets may experience severe anxiety, motion sickness, fear or panic during extended trips. In such situations animals may struggle to escape or attempt to jump from containers or open windows. When pets are tied outside vehicles or placed in poorly secured bags they face a very high risk of injury. Sudden braking or collisions can easily result in fatal accidents for animals placed outside the safety of the vehicle cabin. Specialists warn that animals exposed to highway traffic conditions have little chance of survival if they fall or are struck by passing vehicles.
The viral video has prompted widespread reactions across Chinese social media platforms where many users criticized irresponsible pet ownership and called for greater awareness about animal welfare. Some users shared similar stories of seeing pets transported dangerously on highways during holiday periods. Others urged authorities to promote clearer guidelines on how animals should be transported safely during long distance travel. The incident has also reignited broader discussions about the responsibilities of pet owners as pet ownership continues to rise rapidly across China, especially in major cities where dogs and cats have increasingly become part of family life.
