On the evening of May 3, 2021, a ZTO Express outlet in Chengdu, Sichuan was exposed for illegally accepting and shipping live cats and dogs as “pet blind boxes.” Xinhua, CCTV and Cover News reported that volunteers intercepted more than 160 cats and dogs, four of whom had already died and many of whom were barely alive. Later information said the Chengdu Hehuachi outlet had accepted 177 live-animal parcels: 36 cats and 141 dogs. On May 8, postal regulators fined the outlet 30,000 yuan and the Sichuan-level ZTO management company 50,000 yuan. Days later, a Suzhou ZTO transfer station found 13 more pet blind-box parcels; all animals inside had died.

Cats and dogs packed as parcels

On May 3, volunteers intercepted many parcels containing live cats and dogs at a Chengdu ZTO outlet. Xinhua reported that many animals were weak and close to death.

These were not ordinary parcels. They could suffocate, thirst, panic, become sick and die during transport. Turning life into a blind-box product made entertainment into systematic harm.

Numbers, deaths and quarantine risks

Public reports said more than 160 cats and dogs were rescued, with four already dead. Later penalty information recorded 177 live-animal parcels, including 36 cats and 141 dogs.

Testing found disease risks among some animals, requiring treatment and isolation. The so-called surprise hid confinement, oxygen shortage, jolting and illness.

Penalties and the Suzhou aftermath

On May 8, Chengdu postal regulators fined the outlet 30,000 yuan and the regional ZTO management company 50,000 yuan.

On May 11, Suzhou regulators found 13 pet blind-box parcels at a ZTO transfer station. All animals inside had died.

Why this case is recorded

The cruelty was not a single blow, but an entire chain treating living animals as cheap products, ordinary parcels and opening-box entertainment.

This archive records the case because life must not be made into blind boxes. Cats and dogs are not toys for cheap surprise consumption.

Timeline

• Evening of 2021-05-03: Volunteers intercepted pet blind-box parcels at a Chengdu ZTO outlet.
• 2021-05-04: Media reported more than 160 cats and dogs, four already dead.
• 2021-05-06: Xinhua and CCTV discussed quarantine and legal responsibility.
• 2021-05-08: Postal regulators issued fines.
• 2021-05-11: Thirteen more parcels were found in Suzhou; all animals inside had died.

Public Sources

This file is based on public reports by Xinhua, CCTV, Cover News/Sichuan Online and The Paper. Animal counts, deaths, fines and the Suzhou follow-up are recorded within public-source boundaries.

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• 四川在线/封面新闻：成都雨夜紧急拦截宠物盲盒