Mainland student jailed after brutally kicking roommate’s cat

A 22-year-old mainland university student, Yu Lingke, was jailed for five months today after being convicted of animal cruelty, following a shocking incident in which he repeatedly kicked his roommate’s pet ragdoll cat inside their shared flat in Whampoa Garden, Kowloon.

The court heard that on 8 July 2024, Yu repeatedly kicked the cat, causing it to hit a dryer and suffer fatal injuries. The roommate immediately called the police, and the cat was taken for treatment, but was pronounced dead.

During sentencing, magistrate Philip Chan Chee-fai stressed that such behavior was “absolutely intolerable in a civilized society,” adding that cruelty to animals undermines public values and must be met with strong deterrence. 

The defense argued for leniency, citing Yu’s young age, good academic record, and remorse, and noted that the cat had chronic health issues, including dehydration and cystitis, caused by long-term neglect rather than Yu’s actions alone.

However, the magistrate dismissed these pleas, emphasizing that the severity of the offense outweighed the defendant’s personal background. Following sentencing, Yu was granted HK$30,000 bail, allowing him to remain free pending his appeal.