Toa Payoh Man Faces Sixth Animal Abuse Charge After Allegedly Slamming Cat Against Wall
A 26-year-old Singaporean man accused of repeated animal abuse has been slapped with a sixth charge after allegedly committing yet another cruel act against a cat in Toa Payoh. The man, Tan Yi Bin Ryan, has been remanded and remains in custody as his court proceedings continue.
According to court documents, the latest incident took place on 13 March 2025, between 1pm and 1.10pm, along the common corridor of Block 15, Lorong 7 Toa Payoh. Tan is accused of dragging a light-brown cat by its tail, before slamming it against a wall three times and dropping it on the floor. The cat, referred to in court papers as “E6,” was reportedly bleeding from the mouth and nose following the assault. This act has been classified as one of “cruel torture” under the Animals and Birds Act.
Accused Previously Faced Five Other Charges
This is not Tan’s first brush with the law over animal cruelty. He had previously been charged for five other alleged attacks on cats between September and October 2024 — most of which occurred in Toa Payoh.
In one disturbing case, he is accused of stabbing a domestic shorthair cat, known as E2, resulting in a 5cm-long wound. On another day, he allegedly stabbed three more cats — one at Block 36, Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, and two more at Block 200, Toa Payoh North.
One of the most horrifying charges involved a cat called Field Field, whom Tan reportedly kicked and stomped on inside a lift at Block 78, Lorong Limau in the Kallang Whampoa area. He is then said to have thrown the cat off the 34th floor, killing it instantly.
Court Adjourns Case Amidst Recent High Court Ruling
The court has adjourned the case in light of a recent High Court decision which may impact sentencing outcomes for similar cases. In that ruling, the sentence of another cat abuser, Barrie Lin Pengli, was nearly doubled from 14 months to 27 months’ jail after an appeal by prosecutors. Lin’s abuse involved five cats, two of which died.
Tan’s case is set to return to court in August. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months’ jail, a fine of up to S$15,000, or both for each charge of animal cruelty.
The repeated nature and severity of the alleged acts have sparked public outrage, adding fuel to calls for stricter penalties and stronger protections for animals under Singapore’s laws.