On Monday, 25 August, Animals Lebanon received a shocking video of a man violently abusing a helpless kitten on his balcony, slamming her against the wall and floor in an act of extreme cruelty.
This incident represents a clear violation of Animal Welfare Law 47/2017, drafted and passed through the efforts of Animals Lebanon. Learn more about the law here.
Upon receiving the distressing footage, Animals Lebanon acted immediately. Our lawyer, Mounir Zoghbi, filed an official complaint the same evening. The following day, the team remained at the police station for hours to ensure the complaint was pursued and justice delivered.
As a direct result of the filed complaint and the application of Law 47, the police intervened swiftly. The man responsible for the abuse was brought in for interrogation.
The General Prosecutor issued a lifetime ban on pet ownership, and all surviving kittens were seized and transferred into the custody of Animals Lebanon. The case remains open and is now under review by the Public Prosecution Office (النيابة العامة) for further penalties.
Initially, it was feared that the kitten seen in the video had died, as the abuser claimed he had thrown her away. After lengthy questioning and pressure from the authorities and Animals Lebanon, the man admitted he had hidden her. She was later recovered and handed over to the NGO.
The three surviving kittens are now safe but severely traumatized. They are receiving urgent veterinary treatment. Despite their affectionate nature and love for human contact, the abuse they endured has left visible signs of fear. They will require time, patience, and consistent kindness to recover fully.
Meet the survivors:
Phoenix – the kitten seen slammed against the wall in the video.
Griffin – another sibling, previously abused.
Draco – their third sibling, with the same tragic history.
The kittens are carrying the scars of their tragic past but now given a second chance at life.
Animals Lebanon is so thankful to all activists, authorities, and supporters who stood together to address this case. We call on the public to continue supporting our mission. Donations are essential to sustain ongoing efforts to rescue animals, enforce the law, and prevent future cases of cruelty.
We will continue to share updates on the court case.