Stress is a normal part of life for everyone. Whether it's school, family issues, work projects, or friend friction, to politics and the state of the world, there is an endless list of things that can bring anxiety and tension to someone's life. But there is never an excuse for taking our stress out on others, especially animals who cannot defend themselves.
Sadly for the cats in the Ang Mo Kio area of Singapore, this was exactly what one man decided to do -- escalating from
abusing to actually killing cats that he abducted from the neighborhood.
Sign the petition demanding justice for the cats of Ang Mo Kio!According to prosecutors,
Barrie Lin Pengli would seek out cats when he was feeling troubled or in need of a release. He started by just kicking the poor things -- a cruel enough outburst on its own. Soon that wasn't enough for Barrie, so he brought heavy duty bags with him in which to
capture and suffocate the cats just enough to terrify and hurt them but not kill them. He would then release them,
traumatized and likely suffering from physical injury.
But even this torture didn't satisfy his need to hurt these cats. Barrie caught a cat, carried it harshly by the scruff of its neck up
12 flights up in an escalator, and then
dangled it over a ledge before plunging it to its death. Images were caught on police camera footage of the
poor black and white cat struggling painfully in the man's grip, not knowing those would be the last moments of its life. Unfortunately, he didn't stop there, performing the same horrific ritual on another cat. But this time, a witness saw Barrie drop the animal to its death and called the police. He was arrested but let out on bail -- when he would perform his final act of animal cruelty. He caught another cat and repeatedly slammed it against a wall;
witnesses heard the animal screaming in pain, but luckily it escaped and the community rallied to get it the vet care it needed.
Now, Barrie has been charged with animal cruelty, but we cannot rest until he is properly sentenced.
Prosecutors themselves have called this one of Singapore's worst animal abuse cases, and we must take that statement seriously. His inability to control his urge to harm, terrify, and kill cats -- apparently for his own relief and pleasure -- is
incredibly alarming, and puts both animals and people at risk.
That's why, on top of the recommended two years of jail time, we're asking that Deputy Public Prosecutor Regina Lim amend her sentencing submission to include mandatory mental health counseling and an outright ban on animal ownership or interaction.
Sign the petition to demand justice for the cats of Singapore's Ang Mo Kio!