A man in China is facing heavy criticism for using his pet dog to test the safety of wild mushrooms. The incident occurred in Sichuan province on July 13.
The 74-year-old man found wild mushrooms growing on his herb farm. Curious about their edibility, he brought them home. His son, Jiang, told Shandian News the mushrooms resembled termite mushrooms sold locally. However, there was still a risk they could be poisonous.
Dog Used as a Test Subject
Rather than discarding the mushrooms, the man came up with a plan. He cooked them and fed them to his dog to see if they were safe for human consumption.
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He observed the dog for two days. The animal appeared healthy but lost its appetite. Despite this sign, Jiang Senior decided to cook the mushrooms for his wife and son.
Family Falls Ill
The family members ate only a small portion because they remained unsure about the mushrooms.
Three hours later, both his wife and son experienced severe nausea and diarrhoea. They were rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed stomach cleaning procedures to remove all traces of the mushrooms.
Jiang later realised that although the dog had survived, it had stopped eating because of the mushrooms.
Online Outrage Over Pet Abuse
Social media users have condemned the man’s actions, calling him cruel and irresponsible.
One user said he “got what he deserved” for treating his dog like a lab rat. Another pointed out that “there are foods humans can eat but dogs cannot, and vice versa,” criticising his ignorance.
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China currently has no comprehensive laws addressing pet abuse.
Poisonous Mushroom Threat in Sichuan
Sichuan province is known for a variety of wild mushrooms. While some are edible, many are deadly.
Poisonous varieties like the fool’s mushroom and Neoboletus venenatus grow in the region. Consumption of such mushrooms can cause severe illness or death.
Physicians have often cautioned residents against harvesting and consuming wild mushrooms unless they have been properly identified.
In China, this strange episode has spurred new discussions about food safety, animal rights, and public knowledge of toxic plants.
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