University of Adelaide student brutally beats housemate’s cat
An international quantum mechanics student ‘lost control’ when he beat a defenceless cat to within an inch of its life.
An international student kicked and beat his housemate’s cat to within an inch of its life after discovering it had pooed in his laundry and garage, a court has been told.
University of Adelaide student Tianxiao Zhao pleaded guilty to ill treat animal to cause death or serious harm following a savage attack on a four-year-old moggy called Ozai.
The brutal incident on March 30 left the cat with a perforated lung, a fractured jaw and spitting up blood.
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The incident happened at Zhao’s home in Adelaide that he shared with a housemate and the cat.
An RSPCA prosecutor told the court that the housemate had heard “a commotion” from downstairs, then received a text message from the 22-year-old quantum mechanics student.
“He got a message saying sorry if I made a loud noise, the cat had shat in the house again and I was dealing with it,” the prosecutor said.
“I could not help myself, I beat it. I lost control and I am sorry,” Zhao told the housemate.
The court was that when the housemate went downstairs, he found Ozai in a sorry state and coughing up blood.
The pair then took the pet to the vet where it was humanely put down.
Zhao’s legal representative told the court that his client was “deeply remorseful” following the tragic incident.
“He is a young man of 22 with no previous criminal history,” he said.
“As he said, he simply lost control. He was open and honest as soon as this happened and helped to take the cat to the vet straight away.
“He did not intend the kill the cat – he was reckless and he has learned a horrible lesson which will have a big impact on his life.”
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos convicted Zhao but allowed him to leave court on a good behaviour bond.
“I do not understand why you did what you did to this helpless animal,” she said.
“I have seen people start with animal cruelty then become cruel to human beings. This is something you must be aware of in the future.
“The animal was treated so badly that it had to be put down.”
The court was told that Zhao had moved to South Australia from China on a partial scholarship in 2024 and still had a year remaining of his studies.
As he left court, Zhao declined to comment on his action.
When asked, he simply said: “No, sorry.”
Originally published as University of Adelaide student brutally beats housemate’s cat
