On the night of May 19, 2025, a video of a car dragging a cat in Haikou circulated online. Early reports recorded public anger, emergency calls and a police investigation, while also repeating online claims about the driver, her workplace and whether other cats had been harmed. The cat’s death was real, and public distress over animal suffering was understandable; but early claims were not the same as verified findings.

What the police notice said

On May 20, Haikou police issued a notice. It said that at around 14:00 on May 19 the vehicle entered Parking Lot No. 1 at Haikou Century Park. At around 20:20, a cat ran from the park’s green area across a pedestrian path toward the parked vehicle and disappeared under the chassis. Around 22:00, the driver got into the car and left. About one minute after leaving the parking lot, the cat fell from under the car and was dragged by a leash whose handle was caught under the chassis.

The notice said that at around 22:10, after nearby vehicles honked, the driver got out, found a cat being dragged behind the car, and called 110 and 119. Police said the cat was not kept by the driver and that the collar and leash did not show owner contact information. The incident was confirmed as accidental, and police said no intentional harm to the cat by the driver was found.

Why it is still recorded

This is not a confirmed intentional animal-abuse case. It is a record where an animal death, a factual correction and public emotion crossed each other. After the cat died, online anger quickly targeted the driver and people linked to her workplace. In the Sina republication, the restaurant statement said doxxing, rumor attacks and death threats had appeared against an employee and family members, and it opposed all forms of online violence.

Animal protection needs action, and it also needs facts. When suspected harm appears, calling police, preserving evidence and asking for transparent investigation are responsible responses. Publishing private information, expanding accusations and threatening people before findings are established can turn compassion into another injury.

Timeline

• Night of May 19, 2025: Video of a car dragging a cat in Haikou drew public attention; the cat had died.
• May 20, 2025, 14:00: HK01 and other media reported the early controversy and police investigation.
• May 20, 2025: Haikou police issued a notice, confirming an accident and saying no intentional cat harm by the driver was found.
• May 21, 2025: Sina Finance republished coverage recording the police notice and the restaurant statement against online harassment.

Public Sources

• Sina Finance / Haixi Morning News: Haikou police confirmed the incident as accidental.
• HK01: early public controversy and police investigation stage.
• Sohu republication: police-correction news cycle.