SHANGHAI, May 18 — Police in southern China have detained a man accused of trying to poison a dog that gained online fame for collecting plastic bottles.

The French Bulldog, named Xiaobai, became a social media sensation last year after videos showed it diligently gathering bottles for its owner, identified only by his surname Zhang. The account has more than half a million followers, with some clips viewed up to 10 million times, according to the South China Morning Post.

Zhang told local media that on May 7, a “good‑hearted” internet user alerted him with screenshots from an animal abuse group discussing plans to poison Xiaobai.

He said members of the group had circulated his home address and discussed using isoniazid, a drug prescribed for tuberculosis, to kill the dog. Later that day, a man dressed in white was spotted outside Zhang’s courtyard taking photographs.

Zhang reported the matter to police, handing over chat records and surveillance footage. Authorities informed him that a suspect was taken into custody on May 8. The case remains under investigation.

Before the arrest, Zhang said he had kept Xiaobai indoors. He noted the dog appeared listless during that period but became lively again once allowed outside to resume collecting bottles.