Podcasts > Rotten Mango > #348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

By Stephanie Soo & Ramble

This podcast episode explores the disturbing world of animal torture videos, specifically involving cats. It details the psychological toll endured by animal rights activists who must analyze these horrific videos in their efforts to combat animal cruelty.

The summary further sheds light on the underground market fueling the production of these videos, including the demand for torturing particularly resilient animals like stray and pregnant cats. It also addresses the lack of legal protections for cats against cruelty in China, contrasting with the harsh backlash and harassment faced by activists fighting this issue. Additionally, the summary highlights initiatives aimed at fostering empathy and improving the welfare of stray cats.

#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

1-Page Summary

Psychological impact on animal activists

Animal activists routinely face significant psychological distress as they investigate disturbing videos of animal cruelty. In their work, they come upon shocking footage, such as a kitten being put into a blender. Activists painstakingly view these videos frame by frame to collect clues while trying to shield themselves from excessive trauma. The vivid descriptions of the kitten’s struggles and the gruesome audio elements evoke a profound emotional toll, leading to symptoms of intense psychological distress, such as ringing ears and a sensation of heat in the face. Dealing with this content can also lead to debilitating depression, affecting activists’ ability to perform daily tasks, as the graphic images involuntarily haunt their thoughts. Furthermore, a law enforcement officer echoes the sentiment that the memories of such cruelty persist for a lifetime, emphasizing the far-reaching mental health consequences for those exposed to this violence.

Cat Torture Videos

The cat torture videos that activists unearth reveal a grim and sadistic market driven by a demand for the suffering of particularly resilient animals, like stray and pregnant cats. Within this horrifying subculture, the more an animal can resist, the more valued it becomes, with pregnant cats being seen as a specialty. The distribution of these videos is advanced via encrypted platforms like Telegram, where access is often contingent on contributing one’s own video or passing stringent inquiries. Within these private spaces, individuals pay to view or customise the torture executed in the videos, choosing anything from the method of torment to trivial details such as the frosting color on a cake. Wang Chaoyi, a central figure in this realm, has produced over 10,000 films, and clients often request heinous methods of torture, including suffocation, roasting, and uniquely hideous requests like inflating cats. The monetization, customization, and prolific distribution of such content underscore the dire need for broader awareness, legal action, and digital oversight to combat animal exploitation and suffering.

Lack of animal cruelty laws in China

In China, there is an alarming void in legal protection for cats against cruelty. A case exemplifying this gap involved a woman who faced no legal consequences for her participation in cat torture videos. Instead, the only punitive measure was a short detention for a perpetrator who attempted to steal a cat, highlighting the absence of protective legislation. Disturbingly, even after being identified as a cat killer, a student at Shanghai Tech University faced minimal reprimand and was simply granted a leave of absence. Contrasted with the protection afforded wildlife in China, domestic animals like cats remain vulnerable under the law. The juxtaposition with countries that have established animal protection laws, such as the United States, is stark and troubling.

Backlash faced by animal activists

Animal activists who champion the cause against cat torture frequently encounter severe backlash. Cyberbullies accuse them of overreacting and damaging the futures of those involved in the torture. Activists also experience harassment and threats, including doxxing and the placement of bounties on their own pets. A blogger, Naomi, became the target of abhorrent threats and intimidation after taking a stand against animal cruelty. Activists are bombarded with videos and messages depicting animal cruelty designed to provoke distress. Despite these adversarial responses, activists remain dedicated to their mission, facing scorn from some netizens for their persistent efforts to end the cruel treatment of cats.

Efforts to increase empathy and care for stray cats

Compassionate initiatives are emerging to instill empathy and improve the welfare of stray cats. At Shanghai Tech University, students created touching memorials for cats killed on campus, assigning names and creating emotional profiles for each animal to humanize them and appeal to public sentiment. An innovative app, Hello Street Cat, has been developed to facilitate the care of stray cats in urban settings. This app aids the deployment of dedicated feeding and monitoring stations equipped with cameras and sensors. They not only track the cats for necessary health interventions like ‘TNR’ but also allow for remote public engagement through live streams and donations for food. Profiles of popular stray cats on a Wikipedia-like page further encourage community involvement and personify the strays, thereby fostering a stronger sense of responsibility and compassion toward these animals.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The psychological distress experienced by animal activists investigating animal cruelty videos can lead to symptoms like ringing ears, heat sensations, and debilitating depression. The graphic content they are exposed to can haunt their thoughts and impact their daily functioning. The emotional toll can be profound, affecting their mental health in significant ways. Law enforcement officers also acknowledge the lasting impact of witnessing such cruelty on the mental well-being of those exposed to it.
  • The cat torture videos mentioned in the text depict extreme cruelty towards cats, often involving sadistic acts like suffocation, roasting, and even inflating cats. These videos are part of a grim market where individuals pay to view or customize the torture methods, with pregnant cats being particularly valued for their perceived resilience. The distribution of these videos occurs on encrypted platforms like Telegram, where access is sometimes granted based on contributing one's own video or passing strict criteria. Wang Chaoyi, a prominent figure in this realm, has produced a significant number of these films, catering to clients' heinous requests for customized torture methods.
  • In China, there is a notable absence of specific laws that protect domestic animals like cats from cruelty. This gap in legislation means that perpetrators of animal cruelty involving cats often face minimal consequences or none at all. Unlike wildlife, which has more legal protection, domestic animals like cats are not as safeguarded under the law in China. This lack of legal framework contributes to challenges in addressing and preventing acts of cruelty towards cats in the country.
  • Animal activists advocating against cat torture often face severe backlash, including cyberbullying, harassment, threats, and doxxing. They are targeted by individuals who accuse them of overreacting and disrupting the lives of those involved in animal cruelty. Some activists even experience extreme forms of intimidation, such as bounties being placed on their pets. Despite these challenges, activists persist in their mission to combat the mistreatment of cats.

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

Psychological impact on animal activists

Animal activists investigating videos of animal cruelty face significant psychological challenges due to the disturbing nature of the content they encounter.

Difficulty watching disturbing videos to gather clues

Animal activists received a distressing video that included a horrific scene where a kitten is put into a blender. To gather the necessary clues from such videos without exposing themselves to excessive trauma, activists watch the footage frame by frame, attempting to minimize exposure to the graphic content. Despite this, the detailed description of the video—with the kitten fighting against the blender lid and the terrible sounds of suffering—is indicative of the close and careful attention they must pay to such content in the course of their investigations.

Audio clues are worse than visuals

In addition to visual content, the audio associated with these videos is exceptionally disturbing and can arguably have a worse impact than the visuals. Sounds of the kitten gasping for air, fluids, squeaks, and bone crunching were particularly graphic, suggesting a high potential for psychological trauma. The emotional toll on activists can manifest as visceral reactions; one activist described her ears ringing and her face feeling hot, which are signs of intense psychological distress.

Mental health consequences

The strategy of cat killers is psychologically manipulative, aiming to drive the activists to such depths of depression that they are forced to leave c ...

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Psychological impact on animal activists

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The phrase "the strategy of cat killers" in the context of the text is referring to the psychological manipulation tactics employed by individuals who create and share videos of animal cruelty, such as the disturbing video involving a kitten being put into a blender. These individuals aim to inflict emotional distress on animal activists by exposing them to graphic and traumatic content, with the intention of causing them to experience severe depression and potentially abandon their activism efforts. This strategy is designed to exploit the activists' empathy and sensitivity towards animal suffering, ultimately impacting their mental health and well-being.
  • The law enforcement officer's perspective in the text provides insight into how exposure to animal cruelty videos can have lasting mental health effects on individuals, even those in positions of authority. Law enforcement officers may be involved in investigating cases of animal cruelty and may come across disturbing content that can deeply impact them emotionally and psychologically. Their recount highlights the profound and enduring nature of the trauma caused by witnessing such violence, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing the mental health consequences of exposure to graphic content.
  • Activists leaving chat rooms or abandoning their pursuits entir ...

Counterarguments

  • Exposure to graphic content is a known occupational hazard for animal activists, and while distressing, it is part of the work they choose to undertake.
  • Some activists may develop coping mechanisms or resilience over time, which can mitigate the psychological impact of viewing disturbing content.
  • The assertion that audio clues are worse than visuals is subjective and may not hold true for everyone; some individuals may be more affected by visual stimuli.
  • The strategy of cat killers is presumed to be psychologically manipulative, but without direct evidence of intent, this remains an assumption.
  • While some activists may suffer from debilitating depression, others may not, or they may find effective ways to manage their mental health.
  • The claim that horrific images do not fade with time may not apply universally, as some individuals may be able to process and recover from traumatic experiences.
  • The ...

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

Cat Torture Videos

The gruesome underground world of cat torture has been unearthed, with demand driving torturers to engage in prolonged and distressing acts of cruelty for profit, and the distribution of these macabre videos taking place on private chat rooms and dark web platforms.

Demand for "delicacies"

Stephanie Soo describes an insidious market where the more an animal is capable of fighting back, the more valued it becomes to those who torture them for entertainment. Stray cats, having been toughened by living in harsh conditions, are particularly sought after because they resist and don’t succumb as quickly as house cats to the torture inflicted upon them.

Stray cats that fight back more

The higher demand for stray cats leads to them being sold at a higher price in the market of cat torture. These animals are often subject to prolonged and intensified cruelty for the pleasure of a twisted audience that finds gratification in their desperate struggle.

Pregnant cats

Adding to the depravity, pregnant cats are considered a specialty or delicacy among these circles, escalating the sadistic fascination with inflicting pain and discomfort on vulnerable creatures.

Distribution via Telegram

Soo uncovers the distribution networks for these horrific videos, indicating that encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram are a hub for such content. In-depth investigation reveals that to access certain Telegram chat groups, new participants must either contribute their own torture video or complete rapid-fire questioning—failure to comply results in expulsion from the group.

Chat rooms require torture videos for access

The torture videos serve as a form of currency and gatekeeping within this perverse community, ensuring that only those as depraved as the existing members gain entry to these areas of the dark web.

Pay-per-view model

Once someone gains access to these chat rooms, they often operate on a pay-per-view basis, with transactions facilitated through QR codes from apps like WeChat or Alipay. This commoditization of animal torture marks a chilling frontier where human cruelty is monetized and grotesquely packaged for a niche audience.

Doxxing of celebrities in retaliation

In a stunning turn of events, Soo mentions an incident where the doxxing of some of China's top celebrities was linked to the viral spread of a cat crushing video. The linkage of these acts to public figures indicates the sprawling and unpredictable nature of viral content and online vigilantism.

Custom torture methods

The customization of these videos is a particularly sinister development. Clients can pay for bespoke torture methods, choosing details as specific as the color of frosti ...

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Cat Torture Videos

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The distribution of cat torture videos on private chat rooms and dark web platforms involves sharing these disturbing videos in hidden online spaces that are not easily accessible through regular search engines. These platforms often require specific permissions or entry criteria, such as contributing torture videos or passing certain tests, to access the content. Transactions for viewing these videos can occur through payment methods like QR codes from apps such as WeChat or Alipay. This distribution method allows for a secretive and controlled environment where individuals with similar interests in animal cruelty can interact and consume such content.
  • In some dark web chat rooms where cat torture videos are shared, new members are required to provide their own videos of animal torture to gain entry. This practice serves as a fo ...

Counterarguments

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

Lack of animal cruelty laws in China

The case of a Chinese woman involved in a high-profile animal cruelty incident reveals the stark absence of animal cruelty laws in China, particularly as they pertain to cats.

Authorities in China reportedly did not intervene in the case of the woman from the infamous cat video. Stephanie Soo suggested that the individual torturing cats faced no legal repercussions, as evidenced by his ability to post videos of animal torture openly in chat rooms. This implies a lack of animal cruelty laws. Despite substantial evidence of animal torture, the only charge made was against Wang for damaging a car window while attempting to steal a cat, resulting in a mere 15-day detention. This is because there are no laws in China that protect cats from abuse, unlike specific wildlife species that are safeguarded.

After being discovered as the individual behind the killing of cats at Shanghai Tech University, Peng Wang Di was allowed a one-year leave from the institution but was neither expelled nor arrested, further underscoring the lack of consequences for such actions.

Information regarding this section was not provided within the transcript except for an indirect implication that the absence of le ...

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Lack of animal cruelty laws in China

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • ShanghaiTech University is a science and engineering university in Shanghai, China, established in 2013 through agreements between the Shanghai government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is part of the Double First-Class Construction initiative and consists of schools and research in ...

Counterarguments

  • China has been making progress in animal welfare, with increased public awareness and advocacy for better treatment of animals.
  • There are local regulations in some Chinese cities that offer some protection to animals, suggesting a growing recognition of animal welfare issues.
  • The Chinese government has enacted wildlife protection laws, which could be seen as a foundation for broader animal protection legislation in the future.
  • Cultural differences may influence the perception and implementation of animal welfare laws, and China may approach these issues differently than Western countries.
  • Non-legal measures, such as education and public awareness campaigns, may also be effective in reducing animal cruelty and could be actively pursued in China.
  • The Chinese legal system may have other ways of addressing animal cruelty that are not captured by the term "animal cruelty laws" as understood in Western contexts.
  • The case mentioned may not be representative of all animal cruelt ...

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

Backlash faced by animal activists

Animal activists advocating against cat torture face significant backlash, including harassment and threats, as they work to expose those involved in the cat crush community.

Accused of overreacting and ruining cat abusers' futures

Some netizens argue that the activists are overreacting to the videos of cat torture and are unnecessarily ruining the futures of those involved, such as in the case of a promising college student. These individuals argue that smearing feces on the cat killer's face, an act of retaliation by activists, should be punished because it breaks assault laws. They also suggest that the cat killer shouldn’t be prosecuted due to the lack of specific animal cruelty laws.

Threats and harassment for exposing cat killers

Animal activists who have exposed cat killers have faced serious consequences. They've been doxxed, received threats, and even had bounties placed on their pets. Naomi, a blogger with a substantial following, received threats involving severed cat heads and a bloody cat paw after she spoke out about cat torture. She was also sent menacing messages and photoshopped images to intimidate her for her stance against animal cruelty.

After publishing their findings, activists often face a barrage of hateful comments and direct messages detailing gruesome acts from cat abusers. Videos featuring mutilated cats along with threatening messages are also sent to activists, exemplifying the severe backlash they endure.

Continued violence from cat crush community despite efforts

The cat crush community has responded to being investigated and ...

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Backlash faced by animal activists

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Doxing, also spelled as doxxing, is the act of publicly revealing personal information about an individual or organization without their consent, often done online. This information can include details like addresses, phone numbers, or other private data. Doxing is typically used as a form of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation against the target. It can lead to serious consequences for the individuals being doxed, such as threats, harassment, or even physical harm.
  • Bounties placed on their pets: This means that rewards were offered for information leading to harm or capture of the activists' animals, incentivizing others to target their pets as a form of retaliation or intimidation.
  • In the context provided, "smearing feces on the cat killer's face" is an act of retaliation by animal activists against individuals involved in cat torture. It is a form of protest and condemnation aimed at shaming and punishing those responsible for harming cats. This extreme action is a controversial method used by some activists to express their outrage and seek justice for the abused animals. The act is symbolic and intended to draw attention to the severity of the abuse and the lack of appropriate legal consequences for such actions.
  • Menacing messages and photoshopped images are forms of intimidation used to threaten or scare individuals. Menacing messages can include explicit threats of harm or violence, while photoshopped images may depict disturbing or falsified visuals to instill fear or distress. These tactics are often employed by individuals seeking to silence or intimidate others, particularly in online harassment scenarios. The goal is to cr ...

Counterarguments

...

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#348: Animal Nth Room- University Students Killing & Selling "Cat In Blender" & "Cat in Microwave" Videos

Efforts to increase empathy and care for stray cats

Efforts are underway to increase awareness and empathy for stray cats, with various initiatives highlighting the importance of care and management for these animals.

Profiles created for killed campus cats

The compassionate response of Shanghai Tech University students to the killing of stray cats on their campus demonstrates a unique approach to fostering empathy. The students named one of the strangled cats Princess and left out flowers and cat toys as a tribute. To further humanize the cats and elicit public empathy, they created posters with names, attributes, and sayings for each cat, akin to senior yearbook quotes. Profiles included heartfelt messages like "I'm no longer here but you should take care of yourself" and "I know I'm pretty cute but I'm gonna go chase some stars now so don't worry about me."

Cat feeding/monitoring stations set up in cities

In an innovative strategy to provide care for stray cats in urban areas, an app called Hello Street Cat has been introduced by stray cat feeders in China. The app supports the establishment of TV-shaped boxes around major cities which serve as both feeding and monitoring stations. These boxes are equipped with cameras and sensors, which not only dispense food to the cats but also scan and create profiles for them. The system keeps track of new and returning cats to determine which need to undergo a strategy known as "TNR" (trap, neuter, and release), aimed at controlling the stray cat population.

Additionally, these feeding stations have live streams allowing viewers to donate via an app to provide fresh kibble. ...

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Efforts to increase empathy and care for stray cats

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The profiles created for killed campus cats were a compassionate response by Shanghai Tech University students to the killing of stray cats on their campus. These profiles included names, attributes, and sayings for each cat, similar to senior yearbook quotes, to humanize the cats and evoke public empathy. The students' gesture aimed to honor the cats and raise awareness about the importance of caring for stray animals. By creating these personalized profiles, the students sought to emphasize the individuality and value of each cat, fostering empathy and understanding among the community.
  • TV-shaped boxes around major cities are physical structures set up by an app called Hello Street Cat in urban areas. These boxes serve as feeding and monitoring stations for stray cats. Equipped with cameras and sensors, they dispense food, create profiles for the cats, and help in managing the stray cat population through strategies like trap, neuter, and release (TNR). Live streams from these stations allow viewers to donate fo ...

Counterarguments

  • While humanizing stray cats can increase empathy, it may also lead to anthropomorphism, which can result in misunderstanding their actual needs and behaviors.
  • The creation of profiles for killed cats, while a touching tribute, might not directly contribute to the prevention of future harm to stray cats.
  • The use of technology and apps like Hello Street Cat, although innovative, may divert resources from other proven methods of stray cat management and welfare.
  • Feeding stations could potentially lead to over-dependence on human-provided food, disrupting the cats' natural foraging behaviors and ecological role.
  • The TNR program, while helpful in controlling the population, is sometimes criticized for not addressing the root causes of stray cat overpopulation, such as irresponsible pet ownership.
  • Live streams and donation-based feeding might encourage a form of entertainment rather than responsible and informed support for animal welfare.
  • The release of non-adoptable cats back into the wild may not always be in the best interest of the cats or the local ecosystem, especially if the cats are not well-suited to survive independently.
  • The focu ...

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