A 27-year-old man who carried out multiple acts of cruelty against community cats, resulting in the deaths of two animals, was sentenced on Friday (Apr 10) to 31 months’ jail. He was also disqualified from owning any animal for the maximum period of 12 months upon his release.
He has been sentenced to over two years’ jail for what the court described as “deplorable, sadistic” acts involving the abuse of community cats across multiple housing blocks, including stabbing four cats and killing two others.
According to Channel News Asia, the case involving Tan Yi Bin Ryan is the most severe sentencing imposed in Singapore to date for animal cruelty offences, the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a statement.
Tan pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty, with three additional charges taken into consideration by the court.
The court heard that Tan was working as a food delivery rider at the time of the offences. Around July and August 2024, he began seeking out community cats to interact with as he was experiencing relationship issues with his then-girlfriend. While he initially approached the animals to play with them, he became frustrated when some ignored him or reacted negatively. After one cat scratched him, he decided to “teach a lesson” to cats that were not receptive.
Between Sep 16 and Sep 20, 2024, Tan searched online for methods to torture cats. He researched where to stab a cat to inflict injury without killing it and also looked into the potential penalties for killing a cat. He eventually chose stabbing as his preferred method and purchased a 10cm foldable knife.
On Sep 21, 2024, he carried out his first known attack, stabbing a ginger-and-white domestic shorthair cat.
In the days that followed, Tan moved between several locations in Toa Payoh targeting multiple cats. At Block 36 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, he stabbed another cat. He then went to Block 200 Toa Payoh North, where he stabbed a ginger cat before it fled.
At the same location, he approached a white cat and stabbed it in the back when it did not respond to him. When the cat ran away, he searched for it and stabbed it again to ensure it had been injured. This incident was captured on CCTV footage.
Later, Tan cycled to Block 12 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, where he attempted to stab an orange cat but fled after a man shouted at him. He discarded the knife in a dustbin after leaving the scene.
On Oct 6, 2024, while making food deliveries, Tan noticed another orange cat at Block 78 Lorong Limau. He returned in the early hours of Oct 7, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and mask to avoid identification.
At about 3.48am, he picked up the cat and brought it into a lift. Inside, he lifted the animal above his head and flung it onto the floor with considerable force. He then repeatedly kicked and stomped on the cat in what court documents described as a “frenzied” attack lasting about one minute and 20 seconds.
The cat attempted to evade the blows but was unable to do so. By the time the lift reached the 34th floor, the animal was motionless, though still alive. Tan then picked it up by its tail, exited the lift and threw it over the parapet from the 34th floor.
He later went downstairs to check if the cat had died but could not find it. After returning home, he searched online to determine whether he could be identified from CCTV footage despite wearing a mask.
Tan was arrested at his residence later that day and charged on Oct 30, 2024, before being released on bail.
However, he reoffended while on bail, as per the CNA report.
On Mar 13, 2025, NParks was alerted to an injured orange-and-black cat found bleeding at Block 15 Toa Payoh Lorong 7. Investigations and CCTV footage showed that Tan had again targeted a cat.
He had been cycling in the area when he spotted the cat and attempted to play with it. When it hissed and retreated, he became angered. He dragged the cat by its tail while it yowled loudly and struggled, before repeatedly slamming its head against a wall, using increasing force.
He left the severely injured animal at the scene and cycled away.
The cat was later found and taken to a veterinarian. Due to the severity of its injuries, it was deemed unlikely to recover and was euthanised that same day.
Tan was re-arrested on Mar 13, 2025, and has remained in remand since.
NParks said investigations were supported by the police and involved reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing eyewitnesses and examining veterinary reports. Postmortem examinations were also conducted on the two cats that died.
Ms Jessica Kwok, Group Director of Enforcement and Investigation at NParks, said the agency takes all cases of animal cruelty seriously and investigates all reports received.
She added that timely information and evidence provided by members of the public were crucial in supporting investigations, noting that photographic and videographic evidence can be especially helpful.
Members of the public who wish to report suspected cases of animal cruelty or provide evidence can do so via the NParks website or by calling 1800-476-1600.
Series of events:
- Jul–Aug 2024: Tan begins approaching community cats amid personal relationship issues
- Sep 16–20, 2024: Conducts online searches on torturing cats and legal penalties
- Sep 21, 2024: First stabbing of a cat using a foldable knife
- Late Sep 2024: Multiple stabbings across Toa Payoh, including incidents at Blocks 36 and 200
- Late Sep 2024: Attempted stabbing at Block 12 Lorong 7; flees after being shouted at
- Oct 7, 2024 (3.48am): Violent attack inside lift at Block 78 Lorong Limau; cat later thrown from 34th floor
- Oct 7, 2024: Arrested at home
- Oct 30, 2024: Charged and released on bail
- Mar 13, 2025: Reoffends; cat severely injured at Block 15 Lorong 7 and later euthanised
- Mar 13, 2025: Re-arrested and remanded
- Apr 10, 2026: Sentenced to 31 months’ jail and 12-month animal ownership ban
Image via Facebook User Noreen Loh Hui Min
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