China stray dog becomes local hero after car crash, 56 cabbies cover medical costs, aid in recovery

A stray dog in central China has gone viral after a group of taxi drivers raised money for his surgery following a car accident.At the high speed rail station in Xuancheng, Anhui province, a yellow dog became a beloved figure among the local cabbies.Lively, friendly and always eager to run, the dog quickly warmed his way into the drivers’ hearts.Last summer, driver Zhang encountered the dog and was moved by his gentle nature. From that day, Zhang and his fellow drivers began bringing food and spending their breaks playing with the dog.The injured dog is held in the arms of one of the men who helped pay for its medical treatment. Photo: DouyinThey affectionately named him “Stationmaster Huang” as a tribute to the comfort he brought during their long, tiring shifts.Zhang told the local media: “Sometimes, when I open the car door, he runs over with his tail wagging to greet me. He is well behaved, never barks and stays away from the road and station hall.”Driver Fan went even further, making detours to the square just to spend a little more time with the dog.The bond was strong that the drivers pooled their resources to pay for his sterilisation.The lively canine, which the taxi drivers nicknamed “Station Master Huang”, on the road to recovery in the pet hospital. Photo: DouyinHowever, in mid-April, disaster struck. Stationmaster Huang was hit by a car and found lying helplessly on a grassy verge.Barely alive and suffering from incontinence, the cabbies immediately stopped working, contacted animal rescue personnel and stayed by his side until help arrived.Veterinarians determined that the dog had multiple fractures and urgently needed surgery, with estimated treatment costs of 10,000 yuan (US$1,500).One cabby took out a stack of cash and a crumpled piece of paper, noting the donation amounts and number plate numbers.Still wearing his protective e-collar, “Station Master Huang”, above, back out and about. Photo: DouyinWithin days, they had raised nearly 5,000 yuan (US$750) from 56 cabbies. The driver responsible for the accident also compensated 2,000 yuan.Further ReadingTouched by the outpouring of support, the pet hospital waived the labour fees and reduced the cost of surgery to 4,000 yuan.On April 20, Stationmaster Huang successfully underwent surgery. The cabbies took turns visiting him at the hospital, talking to him and petting him to reassure him.After a week of convalescing, the dog could stand and is expected to make a full recovery within a month.Although some pet lovers have shown interest in adopting him, the cabbies remain undecided about the animal’s future.“Adoption is a good option, but the adopter must be someone we know well, and we would need to sign an agreement to ensure his well-being,” said Zhang.One of the taxi drivers shows the list of names of people who donated funds to treat the animal and some of the cash that was collected. Photo: DouyinThe heartwarming story has caused a buzz on mainland social media.One online user suggested putting the “Stationmaster Huang” logo on the cars of the cabbies, offering to ride with them in support of their kindness.Others proposed creating a designated, fenced-off area for the dog to roam safely in the square.Some even suggested the government create the dog’s merchandise to highlight the bond between humans and animals as part of the city’s tourism campaign.One comment read: “The dog is the little hero of this city; he has triumphed over his pain. How people treat stray animals reflects a city’s civilisation and warmth.”