A 27-year-classic man has been handed the steepest penalty for animal cruelty in Singapore’s history following a series of “deplorable, sadistic” attacks on community cats. Ryan Tan Yi Bin was sentenced on April 10 to two years and seven months’ jail after pleading guilty to three counts of animal abuse.
The court heard that Tan, a former delivery rider, targeted defenseless animals in the Toa Payoh area after experiencing relationship difficulties with his girlfriend. His violence escalated from stabbing multiple cats to more extreme acts, including throwing a cat from a high-rise building. In addition to his prison term, Tan will be disqualified from owning any animals for 12 months following his release.
District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz described the attacks as “barbaric,” stating that the sentence served as a stern condemnation of Tan’s actions. The ruling marks a significant legal precedent in the city-state, with the National Parks Board (NParks) confirming the conviction as the highest sentence ever imposed for animal cruelty in the country.
A Pattern of Escalating Violence
The sequence of events began around August 2024, when Tan started seeking companionship from community cats even as cycling through residential estates. According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee, Tan became disgruntled when some cats did not respond to his affection. This frustration led him to research methods of torture online, eventually deciding to leverage a knife.
On September 20, 2024, Tan purchased a foldable knife with a 10cm blade. The following day, he stabbed a ginger and white shorthair cat in Toa Payoh. This began a spree of violence that continued over the next several days. On September 22, Tan targeted two more cats—one at Block 36 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh and another ginger cat at Block 200 Toa Payoh North.
In one particularly cruel instance, Tan stabbed a white shorthair cat in the back. When the animal leaped away, Tan chased it for approximately six minutes before finding the cat and stabbing it a second time. A passer-by later discovered the animal and brought it to a community clinic operated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Medical examinations revealed a stab wound approximately 6.5cm deep that had penetrated the cat’s abdominal cavity.
The High-Rise Attack and Subsequent Arrest
The violence shifted from stabbing to blunt force and heights in October. On October 6, 2024, while performing food deliveries, Tan spotted an orange shorthair cat at Block 78 Lorong Limau. He returned to the site at 2 a.m. The following morning, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and face mask to conceal his identity.
Court-presented video footage showed Tan forcing the cat into a lift, where he hoisted the animal above his head and threw it to the floor. The footage captured Tan kicking and stomping on the cat for over a minute. Once the lift reached the 34th floor, Tan grabbed the cat by its tail and flung it from the building, killing the animal.
Tan was arrested on October 7, 2024, and was subsequently released on bail on October 30 of that year. However, the court heard that his violence did not cease during his period of release.
| Date | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 20, 2024 | Purchase of 10cm foldable knife | Preparation for attacks |
| Sept 21-22, 2024 | Stabbing of four community cats | Severe injuries to multiple animals |
| Oct 7, 2024 | Attack and fall from 34th floor | Death of orange shorthair cat; Tan’s arrest |
| Mar 13, 2025 | Attack on black and orange cat | Animal euthanized due to severe injuries |
| Apr 10, 2025 | Sentencing hearing | 2 years, 7 months imprisonment |
The Final Attack and Legal Arguments
On March 13, 2025, Tan approached a black and orange cat near Block 15 Toa Payoh Lorong 7. When the cat hissed and hid under residential shelving, Tan dragged the animal out by its tail. Video evidence showed him swinging the cat head-first against a wall multiple times with increasing intensity before walking away. The injuries were so severe that the cat had to be euthanized.
During the mitigation phase, defense lawyer Mr. Jeeva Joethy argued that this was Tan’s first encounter with the law and that he had no prior history of animal violence. He stated that Tan was genuinely remorseful and intended to seek professional help upon his release.
The court rejected this line of reasoning. Judge Sripathy-Shanaz noted that the lack of prior convictions was not due to a lack of violence, but simply because “the law had not yet caught up with him for his earlier misdeeds.” She categorized the offenses as some of the most egregious cases of animal abuse Singapore has ever seen.
Public Contribution and Reporting
The conviction relied heavily on the vigilance of the community. Jessica Kwok, group director at NParks’ enforcement and investigations unit, emphasized that timely information and video evidence provided by the public were instrumental in the investigation.
NParks continues to urge the public to report suspected animal cruelty. Evidence such as photographs and videos is considered crucial for the legal process in securing convictions for animal abuse. Reports can be made via the AVS reporting portal or by calling the Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
Disclaimer: This article reports on legal proceedings and judicial findings. It is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
Following the sentencing on April 10, Tan will start serving his term in prison. The next legal checkpoint involves the enforcement of his animal ownership disqualification, which will trigger upon his eventual release from custody.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this ruling in the comments below and share this story to raise awareness about animal welfare.
