Who Made the 'Cat in the Blender' Video? Culprit Identity and Legal Repercussions
By Alexander Ross
The brief duration of Xu's detention sparked intense debate across mainland China. Thousands of citizens flooded social media to demand severe criminal penalties, but prosecutors faced statutory limits: mainland China does not have a comprehensive animal anti-cruelty law covering non-wildlife or companion animals.
The country's Wildlife Protection Law shields endangered and ecologically significant species, while the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law governs livestock transport and disease control. Companion pets, including domestic cats and dogs, fall largely into the legal category of personal property. If a perpetrator tortures an animal they legally own or an unowned stray, prosecutors cannot charge them with animal abuse. Authorities must instead rely on secondary infractions, such as public disturbance, cybersecurity violations, or improper distribution of violent media.
Prominent domestic legal scholars, including representatives at the National People's Congress (NPC), have repeatedly submitted proposals to close this loophole. Legal reform advocates point out that the absence of dedicated anti-cruelty legislation leaves enforcement agencies powerless against illicit underground markets that deliberately exploit unowned animals for online profit.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
