Another official from the agency mentioned they had informed Ms. Liu about the risks of placing all her money in the hands of the veterinary clinic.

“We told Auntie Liu that if her children change their attitude towards her, she could always alter her will again,” the official said.

The story has sparked a lively online debate in China.

“How disappointed and heartbroken she must have been to make the decision not to leave anything to her children,” one user commented.

It’s not the first time a pet has inherited a generous sum.

In 2020, a wealthy businessman in Tennessee left $US5 million to his eight-year-old border collie, Lulu.

And British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who passed away in 2010, famously left £50,000 ($97,000) from his £16 million ($31 million) fortune to his cherished dogs, Minter, Juice, and Callum.