Dog used as ‘battery’ for modified electric bike; shocking incident goes viral, sparks outrage

A video from China has gone viral and sparked a big discussion online. It shows an elderly man riding a modified electric bike, but instead of a battery, his dog is helping move it. The unusual sight has raised concerns about animal safety and traffic rules.

What the video shows

The video was filmed on March 16 in Jiangsu province, as reported by the South China Morning Post. It shows a golden retriever running under the seat of the bike while the man rides. The bike’s battery had been removed.

The dog was tied with reins and had a muzzle on its mouth. The man also held a stick in his hand, which he seemed to use on the dog while riding. Another cyclist recorded the scene and shared it online, where it quickly went viral.

Police take action

According to the report, local traffic police tracked down the man after the video circulated. They stopped him because using modified vehicles like his is not allowed on public roads. Since the man is elderly, the police reportedly only educated him about the rules instead of imposing a fine. It's unclear if the dog was hurt.

Public reaction

The video led to strong reactions online. Many people raised concerns about the dog’s well-being. As quoted in the report, one person wrote, “I pity the dog that became his pet,” while another said, “It is wrong to muzzle the dog so tightly when they are running. They will not be able to breathe well.”

Road safety concerns

Some users also pointed out safety risks. One comment read, “How is he supposed to stop the vehicle?” while another added, “He would not be able to fully control the vehicle, which is dangerous for both himself and other people.”
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