In May 2024, several media outlets cited Zhejiang’s public complaint platform, reporting that multiple users accused a 2020 Food Quality and Safety student at China Jiliang University, surnamed Yuan, of poisoning and killing more than ten campus cats. The complaints said abnormal cat deaths occurred between April 10 and April 27 around China Jiliang University and Zhejiang Sci-Tech University’s Xiasha campus. On May 27, China Jiliang University replied that it had noticed the public concern, investigated, and disciplined the student according to rules.

From abnormal campus cat deaths to public complaints

Public reports say complainants alleged multiple abnormal cat deaths between April 10 and April 27, 2024 around China Jiliang University and Zhejiang Sci-Tech University’s Xiasha campus. The complaint materials accused Yuan of scouting a neighboring campus residential area, entering at night to poison cats, and posting poison-related content online. These details come from public complaints and media reports, so this archive records them as allegations and reported information.

The university acknowledged the case and imposed discipline

China Jiliang University replied on May 27 that it had noticed the public concern over cat deaths on campus, attached importance to the matter, investigated carefully, and disciplined the student under relevant rules. Media also cited staff at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University’s Xiasha campus as saying animal abuse had indeed occurred recently but the student was not from that university; China Jiliang University security staff said some online descriptions were exaggerated, while the school was actively handling the matter.

Poisoning is not a minor campus matter

Campus cats rely on feeding, desexing and daily care from students and staff. They live around dormitories, lawns, teaching buildings and residential areas. If someone places toxic substances in these spaces, the danger is not limited to animals. Other animals may eat it, and cleaners, students or passers-by may also be exposed. Using poison against life damages both campus safety and basic compassion.

Discipline cannot erase the suffering

This case is worth recording not only because the university eventually said it had disciplined the student, but because several cats who had lived on campus were pushed into pain and death. The obituary collage circulated by media brings them back from vague numbers into individual lives that had been fed, remembered and called by name. For deliberate harm like this, discipline is only the minimum response; the larger task is to make sure such cruelty is not dismissed as a minor prank.

Public sources

• Jiefang Daily / Shangguan News report on China Jiliang University’s response
• Daily Qingdao republication citing Zhejiang government platform
• Sing Tao Global report on allegations of poisoning and killing campus cats
• Sina Education republication of the university discipline response