Fuzai the Fluffy Felon: Chinese Police Corgi Loses Bonus for On-Duty Naps and Food Bowl Mishaps

Sehaj Sahni
Mar 5
3 min read

A Corgi’s Unconventional BeatIn a tale blending charm and discipline, Fuzai, a four-month-old Corgi trainee at a police dog base in Weifang, Shandong province, has become China’s most unlikely internet sensation—and a cautionary meme. The fluffy recruit, drafted as a reserve explosives detection dog in January 2024, recently had his “year-end bonus” docked after being caught snoozing on duty and relieving himself in a food bowl. His misadventures, however, have only fueled his viral fame, sparking debates about unconventional breeds in law enforcement and the quirks of animal training.

Paws in the Force: Why a Corgi?

Police dogs in China are typically stalwarts like German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois, prized for their agility, focus, and intimidation factor. Fuzai’s recruitment as a Corgi—a breed better known for meme-worthy waddles than crime-fighting—raised eyebrows.

Breed Background: Corgis, originally herding dogs, are intelligent but lack the size and stamina of traditional K9 units.
Social Media Strategy: The Weifang police reportedly aimed to soften their image and engage younger audiences through Fuzai’s undeniable “cute factor.”
Training Reality: While Fuzai’s initial training focused on scent detection (a skill even small dogs can master), his puppy antics proved challenging.

The Incident: A Ruff Day on the Job

In March 2024, Fuzai’s lapses went viral after internal training footage leaked:

Sleeping on Duty: During a mock explosives drill, Fuzai curled up for a nap, ignoring handlers’ commands.
Food Bowl Faux Pas: He later urinated in a communal food bowl, disrupting meal time for his fellow K9s.
Bonus Cut: While police dogs in China don’t earn salaries, they receive “bonuses” in the form of extra treats, toys, or upgraded care. Fuzai’s perks were reduced—a move the base framed as “accountability.”

Public Reaction: From Outrage to Adoration

Fuzai’s mishaps sparked a social media storm:

#JusticeForFuzai: Fans on Weibo and Douyin (TikTok) flooded posts with memes, arguing, “He’s just a baby!”
Official Response: The Weifang police humorously acknowledged his struggles, stating, “Even future heroes need naps.”
Cultural Impact: Fuzai’s Douyin account (@Fuzai_the_Cop) gained 2.3 million followers overnight, with fans dubbing him “The People’s Fluffy Officer.”

Expert Insights: Can Corgis Cut It?

Dog trainers weighed in on Fuzai’s potential:

Dr. Li Wei, Canine Behaviorist: “Corgis are clever but easily distracted. They excel in roles requiring companionship, not high-stakes detection.”
Sergeant Zhang Hao, K9 Trainer: “This experiment highlights the need for breed-specific training. Maybe Fuzai’s better suited for community outreach.”

Broader Context: Animals in Unusual Roles

Fuzai isn’t alone in breaking the mold:

Japan’s “Super Terriers”: Toy poodles trained for drug detection in tight spaces.
U.S. Therapy Geese: Used in prisons for emotional support.
China’s “Cat Patrols”: Feral cats adopted by parks for pest control.

What’s Next for Fuzai?

Despite the setback, Fuzai’s future isn’t all bones and no play:

New Role: The Weifang base plans to transition him to PR duties, starring in safety PSAs for schools.
Training Tweaks: Shorter sessions with more play breaks to align with his attention span.
Merch Madness: Fans can soon buy plush toys of Fuzai in a mini police uniform, with proceeds funding K9 programs.

A Lesson in Paw-liticsFuzai’s saga underscores a universal truth: Even in law enforcement, not every recruit fits the mold. While his bonus cut sparked laughs, it also highlights the challenges of integrating unconventional breeds into rigorous roles. For now, China’s favorite fluffy cop reminds us that sometimes, the best PR comes on four paws—and with a side of mischief.

Follow Fuzai’s Journey:

Douyin: @Fuzai_the_Cop
Weibo: #FuzaiTheFluffyCop

“Stay pawsitive!” – Fuzai’s handlers 🐾👮♂️