Robot dog in Shanghai and pup out for a walk in lockdown are breaking the internet. Viral videos
China is reeling under Covid-19, or more specifically, the Chinese government-imposed strict Covid control measures. Major cities are going under harsh lockdowns, residents are being forced to quarantine in metal boxes, and stepping out of homes is forbidden for many.
China’s largest city and financial hub Shanghai is also under one such lockdown and restriction. While it's hell for humans, it’s no place to be for pet dogs.
Chinese healthcare workers have been killing pet dogs and in Hong Kong, pet hamsters, for the fear of the virus. In one case, a pet owner had watched on as healthcare workers bludgeoned her Samoyed dog to death.
China is certainly cruel to man’s best friend – the dog. In the latest, videos from Shanghai show how residents are being forced to walk their pets.
One video showed residents slowly lowering their pet dog down an apartment from their window and then walking the dog on a long-long leash outside. All because the humans are not allowed to step out; not even to walk their dogs.
How to walk your dog ? in Shanghai during a hard lockdown. pic.twitter.com/dR4Y9viIzk
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 1, 2022
Later, the video shows the owners pulling the pet dog back up by the leash.
Well, guess tough times call for exceptional measures.
Amid this, China has started using robot dogs to bark orders, on Covid rules, through the empty streets of Shanghai. The four-legged robot strapped with a loudspeaker was seen walking up and down the road blasting Covid-19 orders at residents. However, in some cases, they were also heard threatening the residents with punishment for stepping out of their houses.
Robot roaming the streets making health announcements in #Shanghai during lockdown. pic.twitter.com/64x0mU4C2D
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) March 31, 2022
Netizens went crazy over the video, with some calling it an absolute nightmarish and dystopian future, to others imagining the dog blasting music from the loudspeaker.
https://t.co/BqCh6ZcSBJ pic.twitter.com/9itR1uYlYl
— Ashleigh's Paradigm Shift??️⚧️? (@ParadigmPins) March 31, 2022
https://t.co/BqCh6ZcSBJ pic.twitter.com/9itR1uYlYl
— Ashleigh's Paradigm Shift??️⚧️? (@ParadigmPins) March 31, 2022
Reports also said that some residents felt better taking orders from a robot dog rather than an official.
China is not the only country to have robots manning the streets. Singapore also had a robo-cop barking usual social rules in a crowded place at residents.