Animal activists hold rare protest in Chongqing, China after man allegedly acted nice to adopt puppies only to abuse them

Animal activists and volunteers reportedly protested and clashed with local police in a town in Chongqing, China, over a man who abused pets after adopting them under the guise of being a kindhearted, experienced pet owner.

Posed as benign individual

At the centre of the incident was a man named Li Meng (transliteration), Lianhe Zaobao reported, citing Chinese media reports.

Li was known in the local community for a 2024 incident in which he was caught taking home food samples from a supermarket.

According to Zaobao, early in June 2026, Li adopted two pet puppies off Douyin.

Li posed as gas station attendant with a stable income and two kids who adored puppies.

He also claimed that his wife had time to care for the pets as she was a housewife.

Abused puppy found abandoned

On Jun. 6, Li was reportedly filmed by neighbours abusing a puppy on his balcony, according to HK01.

On Jun. 7, an activist discovered that one of the two puppies Li adopted was abandoned at the stairwell of Li's apartment building.

The puppy was found with fractures in its limbs, chipped teeth, a cut tail and swelling in its head.

Protest and clash

On Jun. 8, a large crowd gathered outside Li's home.

They were seen with posters voicing out against animal abuse.

Police were also present to maintain order.

The gathering persisted on Jun. 9.

That afternoon, police attempted to disperse the crowd, which resulted in clashes between them and those gathered, Sing Tao Headline reported.

Footage circulating online showed people getting injured and sent to the hospital, HK01 wrote.

People were also seen being taken away by the police.

Local authorities investigating

In a Jun. 9 statement, the local government authority said an investigation has been launched against Li.

Three puppies were found in Li's home and they have been taken to a veterinarian, the authority said.