Zhanjiang motorcycle cat-dragging incident
The Zhanjiang motorcycle cat-dragging incident refers to a widely publicized case of animal cruelty that occurred on the evening of February 6, 2023, in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.[1] The perpetrator, later identified as Xia Zhi Liang (夏治良), was filmed dragging a live cat behind his motorcycle at high speed until it died a gruesome death. The incident, captured on video by horrified bystanders, quickly went viral on Chinese social media, leading to a massive online campaign to identify and hold him accountable.[2]
| Zhanjiang motorcycle cat-dragging incident | |
|---|---|
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| Key Details | |
| Location | Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China |
| Species Involved | Cats |
| Type of Abuse | Physical harm |
| Timeline | |
| Date of Incident | February 6, 2023 |
| Date Discovered | February 7, 2023 |
| Date Closed | February 9, 2023 |
| Status & Outcome | |
| Case Status | Closed |
| Perpetrator | Xia Zhi Liang (夏治良) |
| Aftermath | After massive public outrage and condemnation, Xia issued a widely rejected public apology. |
| Cat abuser | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Name | Xia Zhi Liang (夏治良) |
| Age | |
| Occupation | Restaurant owner |
| Known Identifiers | Phone on record |
| Status | Perpetrator |
| Involvement | Perpetrator of the February 6, 2023 cat-dragging incident. |
| Punitive Measure | Publicly exposed, admonished by police. |
The incident
On the evening of February 6, 2023, on Haibin Avenue in Zhanjiang, Xia Zhi Liang was seen riding a motorcycle with the license plate 粤G72540.[1] A rope was tied from the back of his vehicle to one of the front paws of a cat, forcing the animal to run behind the speeding motorcycle.[3]
Eyewitnesses reported that the cat, unable to keep up, was dragged for a significant distance — from his restaurant 老四川土扣碗精品川菜 to "⾚坎区盛和园东50⽶(⻰潮路) ⾚坎区⼈⺠⼤道中86号" — a distance later estimated at about 2.5 kilometers, all while screaming in agony.[2][4] By the time other motorists were able to confront Xia, the cat had died from its injuries, which included its abdomen being abraded to the point of evisceration, a split mouth, and broken legs.[5]
After the cat's death, Xia allegedly threw its mutilated body into the middle of the road, allowing it to be repeatedly run over by passing cars until it was reduced to a pulp.[1]
A local high school student later recovered the remains to prevent further desecration.[1] Bystanders who attempted to intervene were reportedly deterred because Xia had a large knife visible in the front basket of his motorcycle.[5]
Online investigation and identification
- Xia Zhi Liang wearing the same outfit in his restaurant and while riding the motorcycle:
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The video sparked immediate outrage, and netizens launched a crowdsourced investigation. Based on the license plate and other evidence, they quickly identified the perpetrator as Xia Zhi Liang (夏治良), the owner of a Sichuan restaurant in Zhanjiang named 老四川土扣碗 (Old Sichuan Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables).[1]
Further investigation by the public uncovered more of his personal details, including other restaurants he operated, his phone number, and the identity of his son, Xia Yu (夏宇), a Ph.D. student at the 华南理工大学 (South China University of Technology).[6] Some comments alleged that his restaurant's menu on the Meituan food delivery app briefly featured cat meat dishes, which were quickly removed after the incident gained traction.[1]
Perpetrator's statement and public refutation
On February 9, 2023, facing immense public pressure, Xia Zhi Liang released a scripted video apology on Douyin.[7] In the video, he claimed:
- The cat was his own pet of two years.
Likely a pic from Xia Zhi Liang's Douyin account, reposted by some other user. - He was trying to take it home and had placed it on the scooter's footrest.
- The cat jumped off without his knowledge, and he only noticed it was being dragged after "tens of meters" when it seemed "tired."
- He then tied the cat to a railing to go back for a cage, but it was gone when he returned.
This apology was immediately and widely rejected by the public as a collection of demonstrable lies.[8] Online comments and witnesses pointed out numerous contradictions:
- Media Evidence: A widely circulated pic clearly shows him looking back at the struggling cat multiple times while continuing to drive. Some comments claimed Xia even accelerated when other motorists tried to alert him.[4]
Xia Zhi Liang looking back at the cat - Method of Tying: The rope was tied to the cat's front paw with a long leash attached to the rear of the bike, a method inconsistent with securing an animal on a footrest but ideal for dragging.[4]
- Distance: The cat was dragged for an estimated 2.5 kilometers, not "tens of meters."[4]
- Prior Statements: When confronted by activists at his restaurant shortly after the incident, Xia had reportedly been defiant, stating it was "his cat and he could do whatever he wanted with it."[4]
Many believed the disingenuous apology was scripted by his highly educated son to mitigate the damage to the family's businesses and reputation.[9]
Official and public response
In the immediate aftermath, activists who contacted the Zhanjiang police reported that their initial response was dismissive, citing insufficient evidence to file a case.[2] However, following a massive number of reports from citizens across the country to the police and the 0759-12345 mayor's hotline, authorities took action.[2] On February 7, the Zhanjiang police officially stated that they had located the man involved and would "educate" him.[10][11] The lack of stronger legal repercussions, due to China's lack of a comprehensive animal cruelty law, was a major point of public frustration.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 爱猫之和高Y家打官S版.(February 7, 2023). "曝光湛江摩托车72540车主虐猫,我要做那片勇闯天涯的雪花!", Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-VwwCh3cDf4oVy3Wu0xjDg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 伴侣动物专项基金.(February 7, 2023). "#湛江一男子骑摩托拖行小猫#", Weibo. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://weibo.com/7601520156/MrOIWcGu5
- ↑ 星岛日报.(February 7, 2023). "湛江男子用電單車拖行虐貓致死網民怒斥:「欺負小動物,算人嗎?」", Sing Tao Daily. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://www.singtaousa.com/4406167
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 梨视频.(February 10, 2023). "【#骑车拖行小猫致死当事人公开道歉#: 深感痛心,恳请原谅】", Weibo. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://weibo.com/6004281123/MsmQKoUSO
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 让爱终结流浪.(February 8, 2023). "广东恶男用电动车拖行猫咪致其全身磨烂、内脏外露而惨死!", Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rFD5ttiqmN2bThSK6vUrBw
- ↑ 武汉宠物生活在线.(February 9, 2023). "反虐杀", Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sLwLv_TDw-FAodUgAfxcrw
- ↑ 梨视频.(February 10, 2023). "【#骑车拖行小猫致死当事人公开道歉#: 深感痛心,恳请原谅】", Weibo. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://weibo.com/6004281123/MsmQKoUSO
- ↑ 武汉宠物生活在线.(February 13, 2023). "反虐杀", Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SLVS8dx1Bi8poBUsEPt9jw
- ↑ 让爱终结流浪.(February 10, 2023). "No title provided", Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zjWLyRBCZH0fRphIN2k3Q
- ↑ 东方日报.(February 9, 2023). "繩拖殺貓 鐵騎士遭警教育", Oriental Daily News. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://orientaldaily.on.cc/content/china_world/odn-20230209-0209_00178_026/
- ↑ 中国妇女报.(February 7, 2023). "【#警方回应男子骑车拖行小猫致其死亡#:已交给相关部门处理】", Weibo. Retrieved September 25, 2025from https://weibo.com/2606218210/MrVcw3w9M