Cats and dogs ‘thrown from tower blocks’ in China due to a Coronavirus rumor

Reportedly, people in China have been throwing away cats and dogs from tower blocks after hearing rumors that pets can spread the Coronavirus.

There are some horrifying pictures taken on Chinese streets that are said to be showing the bloodied corpses of pets hurled on the road and sidewalks. According to unconfirmed reports, at least five cats were brutally thrown to their deaths in Shanghai. Locals believe they were someone’s pets because of their smooth and clean fur.

Image credits: AisaWire

Shockingly, a dog was also found dead after allegedly being hurled from a tower block in the Heyuan Guohe Garden area of Tianjin City in China, Hebei Province.

As per a local media report, the pooch was thrown from the upper floors of a tower block at around 4 a.m. It smashed the sunroof of a car, and then it ended up on the ground.

Image credits: AisaWire

The scene was more than chilling. The sound of the dog hitting the car woke the neighbors. They described it as a sound similar to a tire explosion. Later on, they found the dog covered in its blood lying dead on the ground.

Image credits: AisaWire

These terrifying incidents happened because of a rumor spread by a local media.

Dr. Li Lanjuan said on Chinese state TV that if pets come into contact with people suspected of having the Coronavirus, they should also be quarantined. However, a local media reportedly twisted the doctor’s words, saying that ‘cats and dogs can spread the coronavirus’.

This rumor spread speedily after it was shared by Zhibo China on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. In an attempt to stop the claims and the panic among people, the China Global Television Network posted a quote from the World Health Organisation. There they explain that there is no evidence showing that pets can contract the novel coronavirus.

The original WHO post says: 

“At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.”

Many animal advocacy groups are hoping that officials would find at least some of the cruel people who threw their pets to their death, believing in a rumor without even researching the source.

PETA Asia was one of those animal rights activists’ groups. Their press officer for China, Keith Guo, said:

“We hope the police can find the cold-blooded guardians of those poor animals as soon as possible.”

Guo adds:

“In fact, it’s the filthy factory farms, slaughterhouses, and meat markets that threaten the health of every human being on the planet by providing a breeding ground for deadly diseases like coronavirus, SARS, bird flu, and more.”

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