Chinese Dog Trainer Ordered to Apologize After Online Remarks Triggered Cyberbullying
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Pan Hong, a Chinese internet celebrity dog trainer with tens of millions of followers on Douyin, has been ordered by the Jinan Intermediate Court to publicly apologize and pay compensation after his online remarks about a dog owner's deceased pet triggered waves of cyberbullying. The court ruled that Pan Hong's insulting comments violated Ms. Li's reputation rights. The case marks another instance of legal consequences for influencers whose statements lead to online harassment. Ms. Li confirmed receiving the compensation but noted that Pan Hong had not yet issued the required public apology as of late September 2026.
Key Points
- The dispute began when Ms. Li entrusted her Samoyed "Little Treasure" to Pan Hong's training facility in November 2024 after the dog exhibited biting behavior and emotional issues
- Two months later, Little Treasure was killed by another dog at Pan Hong's base, sparking a dispute between the trainer and the owner
- Pan Hong allegedly told fans that Ms. Li was "ugly" and seeking internet clout after her dog's death, comments that resulted in sustained online harassment against her
- The court ordered Pan Hong to post a pinned public apology on his Douyin account and pay 11,119 yuan in total damages covering emotional distress, legal fees, and travel expenses
- Multiple viral dogs under Pan Hong's care died under mysterious circumstances, fueling accusations of animal cruelty against him
Why It Matters
This ruling sets a precedent for holding internet celebrities legally accountable for remarks made in private fan groups that subsequently result in targeted harassment. The case underscores that influencers cannot escape liability by claiming their defamatory statements were made behind closed doors, particularly when they leverage their large followings to amplify harmful narratives about specific individuals .
This ruling sets a precedent for holding internet celebrities legally accountable for remarks made in private fan groups that subsequently result in targeted harassment. The case underscores that influencers cannot escape liability by claiming their defamatory statements were made behind closed doors, particularly when they leverage their large followings to amplify harmful narratives about specific individuals .