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.
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SOURCE Alley Cat Allies
