BUTLER COUNTY, Pa., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Oxford, Ohio resident Zhean Bai was convicted today of the deadly torture of Juliet the cat. Alley Cat Allies, the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens, provided support to the prosecution that was instrumental in achieving a conviction and jail time in Juliet’s case.
Bai pleaded no contest and was convicted of committing cruelty to a companion animal, a fifth-degree felony. He is sentenced to 30 days in jail with seven days credit for time served, after which he is subject to deportation to China, his country of origin.
“The defense attempted to avoid a conviction and jail time, requesting dismissal of the case twice. Because of Alley Cat Allies’ support, Juliet finally received justice,” said DanaMarie Pannella, attorney, Alley Cat Allies. “However, we want Juliet’s story to remain in the public conscience and will continue our fight for stronger punishments for animal cruelty that reflect the severity of these crimes.”
On Monday, January 13, the day Bai was initially set to face a jury trial, Alley Cat Allies will hold a rally to remember Juliet’s life, spread awareness of her story, and call for stronger sentences for all acts of animal cruelty.
One year ago, Juliet, an elderly community cat who lived in an apartment complex in Hamilton, was discovered with injuries so grave that she had to be humanely euthanized. Disturbing surveillance video revealed that Bai forced Juliet into a white garbage bag and then slammed the bag violently onto the ground.
Bai arrived in court on Friday with a packed suitcase and requested to self-deport. The request was denied. The judge said he was “appalled by the facts in the case” and that Bai committed “an extreme act of violence.”
The felony conviction in Juliet’s case was affected by last year’s Ohio Supreme Court decision that Ohio’s companion animal cruelty law protects all cats, including community cats who are unowned and live outdoors, as “companion animals.” Alley Cat Allies filed an amicus brief that helped inform the Supreme Court’s decision. Without that decision, Bai would have only faced a second-degree misdemeanor for his egregious actions.
The rally for Juliet will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday, January 13, in front of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest.
Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1.4 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them.
Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we equip and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches.
Our website is www.alleycat.org, and we are active on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Charlene Pedrolie is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Alley Cat Allies.
SOURCE Alley Cat Allies
