A man from Sichuan, China, has faced public condemnation for a risky decision involving his pet dog. He attempted to determine the safety of wild mushrooms growing in his field. To do this, he fed the mushrooms to his dog, hoping to gauge any adverse effects.
When the dog showed no ill effects, the man then served the same mushrooms to his family. Shortly after, they fell sick and had to be hospitalized. Interestingly, the dog ceased eating after consuming the mushrooms.
The man discovered the wild mushrooms in his herb garden. Before consuming them, he wanted to be sure they were not poisonous. The man’s son, Jiang, mentioned to Chinese news that the mushrooms looked like termite mushrooms, commonly sold in local stores. However, because they were wild, they might have been toxic. The man, wanting to use the mushrooms, decided on a test. He cooked the mushrooms and fed them to his dog as a trial.
He observed the dog’s condition for two days but found no significant changes, only a diminished appetite. The dog had stopped eating. The family, though concerned, decided to eat the mushrooms. The man prepared the mushrooms for his wife and son. They cautiously ate a small amount. Within a few hours, both developed nausea and diarrhea. Rushed to the hospital, the doctors determined the illness was due to mushroom poisoning, performing procedures to remove the toxins. Jiang realized that while the dog didn’t show immediate signs of sickness, it had stopped eating the mushrooms, hinting at a potential danger.
The online reaction to the man’s actions has been overwhelmingly negative. It’s important to note that there are no broad laws in China specifically addressing animal cruelty.