A hotpot restaurant owner in Chongqing, China, is grieving after a cat, which had been injured in a boiling oil accident at his establishment, succumbed to its injuries. The incident took place on May 2, when a white-and-yellow cat fell into a pot of hot oil at an outdoor restaurant, causing chaos as hot oil splashed onto several diners.
A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows hot oil spraying onto nine customers, with dishes being overturned in the chaos. The restaurant owner, Zhong, quickly rushed the injured diners to the hospital, covering their medical expenses, which totaled approximately 10,000 yuan (about US$1,400). He also waived or discounted the bills of other customers present that evening and offered 13,000 yuan in compensation for emotional distress and other damages.
Tongtong, the co-owner, added that the incident led to the damage of two mobile phones and a pair of glasses, which they replaced at a cost of more than 15,000 yuan (US$2,000).
After the accident, the cat was found near the restaurant, covered in hotpot oil. Tongtong immediately took the animal to a vet, where it was treated for severe burns on all four limbs, minor fractures, and a fever. The initial treatment cost 3,000 yuan, with daily medical expenses of 1,000 yuan.
Zhong emphasized the restaurant’s responsibility, stating, “The cat was injured at our restaurant. We had a responsibility to save it. It is a life.”
In a hopeful gesture, the restaurant owners adopted the cat, naming it Wuyi, and planned to hire it as a “security guard” to repay its “debt” if it recovered. The incident drew widespread attention on social media, with many users praising the restaurant owners for their kindness. One netizen wrote, “Respect to the owners for comforting the diners and saving an innocent cat.”
To prevent future accidents, the restaurant installed a canopy over its outdoor dining area on May 4. Following the incident, the restaurant saw a boost in business.
Sadly, on May 6, Wuyi’s condition worsened, and despite more than two hours of emergency treatment, the cat could not be saved. Vets confirmed the heartbreaking news, leaving many online users expressing their sorrow. One netizen shared, “I never expected this ending. I hope Wuyi is happy in heaven.”
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