A dog owner in China has sparked controversy on social media after reneging on his promise of a 10 million yuan (RM6.34 million) reward for finding his lost pet. The owner, surnamed Yang, made a public announcement on July 9 that his eight-year-old retired military dog, named “Tianlang,” had gone missing near the Beilong Lake area of Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province. To encourage others to help with the search, Yang initially pledged a substantial reward.
He said, “A reward of two million yuan will be given for providing important clues. If the dog is found and returned safely, a reward of 10 million yuan will be offered.” Yang also emphasized Tianlang’s importance as a family member and his contribution to the nation, warning anyone who intended to harm the dog that justice would be pursued.
The reward offer quickly gained attention in Zhengzhou, and many people headed to Beilong Lake to assist in the search. Within 24 hours, a group member in a local WeChat group claimed to have found the missing canine, a statement later confirmed by the Zhengzhou Stray Animal Adoption Centre on Weibo.
However, despite the quick recovery of the dog, the owner did not honor his promise. According to Henan Broadcasting System, a source revealed that the dog owner only offered a reward of 5,000 yuan (RM3,173) to the person who found the pet. The source criticized Yang’s use of the 10 million yuan reward as a publicity stunt.
The authenticity of Yang’s claim about the dog’s military service remains unknown. As a consequence of the incident, Yang has been placed under a 15-day administrative detention by the police. The situation garnered significant attention on Weibo, with a hashtag about the reward accumulating 300 million views. Many social media users expressed outrage and called for legal action against the owner.
In response, Zhang Yongquan, a former prosecutor and partner at Grandall Law Firm in Tianjin, acknowledged that the owner’s behavior constituted a breach of contract. However, he noted the difficulty of enforcing the agreement due to the owner’s potential argument for an adjustment based on the apparent unfairness of the contract. Zhang suggested that the case would likely conclude with the citizen accepting the offered 5,000 yuan without pursuing further legal action.
The incident has raised questions about trust and the validity of reward notices. Social media commentators expressed their disappointment in the situation, with some advocating for legal recourse against the dog owner. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that the court would support a reward of 10 million yuan for a dog, given the negative social impact of assigning such a high value to an animal in China.
In conclusion, the dog owner’s failed promise of a substantial reward for finding his lost pet has caused a stir on Chinese social media, highlighting issues of trust and the enforceability of reward contracts.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
