Beijing News: Man Sentenced to Prison for Pet Poisoning

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A 65-year-old Beijing man surnamed Zhang has been sentenced to four years in prison for the poisoning deaths of nine dogs in a residential compound in Chaoyang District.

Zhang was convicted of spreading sodium fluoroacetate, a highly toxic chemical compound used in rat poison, around the public area in the housing compound. At least 11 animals, including potentially two stray cats, came in contact with the poison.

The case is the first criminal prosecution of pet poisoning in Beijing. Investigation into the incident began in September of 2022, and the trial began in October of 2023. 

Zhang did not deny responsibility for the poisoning, but he also did not offer a clear explanation for why he did what he did, other than exhibiting a dislike of dogs. He is expected to appeal.

The legal success on behalf of the poisoned animals came about in large part due to the persistence of the pet owners, who filed a criminal ancillary civil lawsuit as victims. Chief among the pet owners involved in the legal action was the owner of Papi, a West Highland White Terrier who was, sadly, among Zhang’s victims. Papi’s owner, a woman surnamed Li who had raised Papi for 13 years, quit her job and devoted herself over the past three years to studying the law and bringing Papi’s killer to justice.

Sodium fluoroacetate is highly lethal to a wide range of mammals and insects. Orally ingested, it can be fatal to humans at a dose of 2-10mg/kg. Animals such as dogs, cats and pigs are most at risk of being poisoned. 

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