A dog has been burned to death in a horrific incident in China's Jiangsu province, after two boys allegedly threw a lit firework into its locked cage. The pet, named Xiao Wang, had been living with its owner for seven years and succumbed to its injuries after the firework ignited a piece of cloth inside the cage.
Surveillance footage of the incident was released online by the dog's owner, Jiang, after the boys' parents reportedly tried to downplay the incident, saying it was 'just a dog'. The parents have since offered financial compensation of around £635 (6,000 yuan), according to local reports.
Neighbours reported hearing the Samoyed dog howling for several minutes as the horror unfolded at around noon on February 1, 2026. One of the boys is believed to have tried putting out the blaze with water, but failed.
Jiang decided to release the footage after the parents reportedly did not apologise. According to China Press, the parents told police that the owner was trying to damage their reputation by making a 'big deal' of the situation. The incident has sparked outrage online.
