Three boys in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, abused and killed a cat on the lawn of a residential compound. The incident, after exposure, sparked widespread discussion on major social platforms, with a large number of netizens condemning that "being a minor is by no means an excuse for brutality." Facing overwhelming public opinion, a person claiming to be a parent of one of the boys involved apologized in the residents' group and said the child had already been punished, but also stated, “The road is still long, he is not beyond redemption,” which further fueled dissatisfaction among residents and netizens. On July 14, the local police station responded that the police had intervened in the case.
This incident occurred at Siji Liancheng Jinchen Residential Area in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. According to circulating online videos, three boys surrounded a white cat on the community lawn. One boy was seen using a stick in his right hand to hold down the cat while holding a hammer in his left. The three boys then left the scene one after another, and the white cat was lying motionless on the grass. A person, suspected to be a security guard, arrived, first taking photos of the scene with a mobile phone, then used a tool to pick up the cat and placed it into a red plastic bag. In the video, the cat showed no obvious physical reaction and appeared to be stiffened.
After the incident, related videos were quickly circulated in the owners' and animal rescue groups online.
The day after the incident (July 13), a resident, claiming to be the parent of one of the boys involved, posted in the residents’ group, admitting that his son was among the perpetrators, and issued a public apology for his child’s behavior.
The parent stated that he was shocked and angry after learning about the incident, and said he had educated and physically punished the child. He revealed that, upon asking the child, the boy said he had copied others after seeing other kids do the same.
The parent wrote in the group that the child is at a stage where he needs to establish a correct outlook on life and values. Although he made a mistake, “he is not an irredeemable child,” and hoped neighbors could give the child a chance to correct his errors. “I have already educated my child, so please show restraint in your words. Whose children have never made mistakes? It wasn’t a killing beyond redemption; he’s just a child. Try to empathize, okay?”
According to 'Er San Li Information', on July 14, a staff member of the local police station said police had intervened on the evening of the 13th and had given reprimanding education to the boys and their parents.
On this incident of minors abusing a cat, Shang Hua, president of the Xi’an Education Psychology Association, pointed out that abuse of animals by minors may be related to three psychological and educational issues. Firstly, insufficient emotional management ability. Shang Hua explained that minors’ psychological development is not mature, and some children lack proper ways to handle negative emotions, possibly projecting them onto weak, defenseless creatures like animals as outlets.
Secondly, a lack of empathy. Some children, lacking ‘life education’, do not understand the suffering animals bear and may not distinguish play from harm, failing to develop due respect for life. The third factor is behavioral imitation. Children are easily influenced by their environment and may mimic violence by parents, peers, or online examples. Without correct guidance, they may follow others in harmful acts.
Shang Hua recommends that families and schools should promote ‘life education’ on an ongoing basis, guiding children to respect and treat life kindly. Parents can also foster loving and empathetic attitudes by raising small pets together or reading with their children, establishing the correct concept that 'animals are human partners.'
In addition, parents, teachers, and community staff should immediately stop and correct children’s abusive behaviors towards animals to prevent such wrong behaviors from becoming ingrained.
Rong Jing, a partner at Hylands Law Firm, said the three boys’ abusive acts might involve the assumption of civil liability. She pointed out that, according to Article 1188 of China's Civil Code, if a person without or with limited capacity for civil conduct causes damage to others, the guardian is liable for the tort.
Rong Jing added that if the cat was either long-term or temporarily fed by a resident, or was under the care of an animal rescue organization, the relevant party could legally seek civil compensation from the guardians of the boys involved. Even if there is currently no clear rights holder, guardians should still assume corresponding social responsibility.