A Jiangsu Province steel worker faces charges for killing his boss's 12,000-yuan ($1,840) dog and feasting on it with roommates.

The worker, surnamed Zhang, was released on bail last week after he was spotted bludgeoning the purebred corgi to death with a wooden rod in a public restroom, Tongshan district police said.

"We thought it was a feral dog. We never thought it was so expensive," Zhang told Tongshan officers.

The owner of the dog and steel mill where Zhang is employed, surnamed Wang, said the pet was last seen playing with his young daughter on February 13.

Wang said he received a tip from another employee after posting an 8,000-yuan reward for the missing brown-and white-furred pet.

The tipster said he witnessed Zhang beat a dog fitting the description in a public toilet near the steel mill and then carry the carcass back to his dormitory.

Wang immediately rushed to the dorm room, where he claims he found traces of dog fur and a blade covered with the same hairs. Infuriated, Wang called local police.

Zhang admitted to beating the dog to death, said officers, explaining his two roommates helped him skin and prepare the carcass before consuming it the next day.

Wang said he purchased the papered corgi for 12,000 yuan as a puppy for his daughter five years ago. The three men offered to compensate Wang the money he paid, but he refused.

 Wang pressed charges against Zhang for the emotional distress the incident had caused him and his family.

Zhang was charged with theft and released on bail. He is awaiting trial. The other two workers involved were fired.

Pengcheng Evening News