100 Dogs Escape Pet Cafe and Invade Shopping Mall... Live-Action Version of Movie '101 Dalmatian'

Dog Cafe Escape Through Open Door
Gains Attention as Videos Shared on SNS

In China, over 100 large dogs, including Huskies, stormed into a shopping center. It is reported that the incident occurred when dogs escaped from a nearby pet cafe.

On the 2nd (local time), Hong Kong media South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the happening at a shopping center in Guangdong Province, southeastern China. More than 100 pet dogs entrusted to owners at a pet cafe near the shopping center suddenly escaped. It was investigated that the incident happened because a cafe employee forgot to close the door.

The shopping center quickly turned into chaos. CCTV footage captured dozens of dogs rushing into the shopping center hall. Additionally, visitors who saw the dogs running around various shops took videos and uploaded them on social networking services (SNS).

Husky dogs escaping from a pet cafe and rushing into a shopping center.
[Image source=Douyin]

Fortunately, the shopping center staff deployed employees to capture all the dogs, and it is reported that all the pets have returned to their owners. One employee told a local media outlet, "All the large dogs inside the cafe ran out without exception. Honestly, it was really lucky that they were found so quickly."

Most dogs obediently followed the staff back to the cafe, but some still 'refused' commands and wandered around freely. Eventually, the staff had to lure the dogs with roasted chicken legs.

Dogs running through the shopping center. [Image source=Douyin]

Although it was hard work for the shopping center staff, local netizens who saw the incident through SNS videos reacted with comments such as, "It feels like students escaping from school with joy," "The great carnival put on by the Huskies," "I hope the dogs enjoyed their escape," and "It looks like a live-action version of the movie '101 Dalmatians.'"

Meanwhile, pet cafes have recently become popular in China. These are spaces where owners can temporarily leave their dogs to be cared for while they shop. SCMP cited market research data stating, "In 2020 alone, 3,638 pet cafes opened in Shanghai." The fees are relatively high. The average hourly cost of using a pet cafe in China is estimated to be between 60 and 200 yuan (approximately 10,000 to 37,000 KRW).

China is also a rapidly growing market for the pet-related industry. According to data from the market research firm iMedia Research, the pet industry revenue in China reached 494 billion yuan (approximately 91 trillion KRW) as of last year.