In Hong Kong, mourning a stray dog killed in mainland China means walking a fine line

In the bustling commercial area of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, a crowd gathered outside a building, mourning a stray dog named Wang Wang who had been killed in mainland China. The mourners waited in the rain for hours, hoping to pay their respects. Brian, a 26-year-old from Guangzhou, had traveled to Hong Kong to participate in the procession, which he had learned about through social media. He displayed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums as he waited his turn in a lift to reach the small Buddhist temple on the 23rd floor.

Wang Wang and her three puppies were brutally murdered by five boys under the age of 14 in Jieyang, Guangdong province on June 28. Footage of the horrific incident, which showed the boys beating the dogs and setting Wang Wang on fire, quickly spread online. In response, Hongkongers have advocated for animal rights in mainland China, with billboards dedicated to Wang Wang appearing in New York's Times Square and Taipei 101 skyscraper.

However, the funeral was later pushed online less than 24 hours before it was originally scheduled due to its sensitive nature. Brian was unaware that the entrance of the building would be guarded by plainclothes police officers, and a Thai boxing gym near the venue had also been asked to remove a banner of Wang Wang. Despite these challenges, animal lovers continue to push for animal welfare advocacy in Hong Kong, navigating new boundaries and restrictions imposed by the government.