A disturbing underground network sharing videos of cats and kittens being brutally tortured has spread internationally, with members operating in the UK and beyond. Investigations reveal that thousands participate in these groups, where graphic footage of electrocution, drowning, starvation, and mutilation is traded and sold.
In one encrypted messaging group, UK-based members discussed adopting kittens from animal shelters specifically to abuse them. The revelations follow a recent case in London where two teenagers admitted to torturing and killing kittens in a public park, raising concerns about potential links to wider online networks.
Animal rights activists from Feline Guardians have tracked the groups since 2023, documenting a shocking frequency of abuse—approximately one new torture video uploaded every 14 hours. Some perpetrators have allegedly filmed the deaths of over 200 cats.
Disturbingly, children appear to be involved. One user, claiming to be just 10 years old, openly admitted to enjoying the abuse. In 2023, a “100 cat kill” competition was even organized, encouraging members to see how quickly they could reach the gruesome target.
The trend reportedly originated in China, where a notorious figure, Wang Chaoyi, was briefly detained after his graphic videos went viral. Despite his arrest, imitators emerged, spreading content globally through encrypted platforms. Some forums require users to submit their own torture footage as proof before gaining access.
Activists describe infiltrating these networks as emotionally devastating. One undercover investigator recounted endless streams of horrific videos, forcing her to “turn off” her brain to cope. Through persistence, she identified a key administrator in Tokyo, though he denies involvement.
Authorities and lawmakers are under pressure to act. With no specific laws in China banning such acts, activists warn the problem will only escalate. In the UK, officials stress that animal cruelty often precedes further violent behavior, making intervention urgent.
The RSPCA condemns the abuse as “absolutely unacceptable,” while MPs warn of its normalization among young men. As investigations continue, advocates demand stricter enforcement to dismantle these networks before more lives—human and animal—are harmed.
