TWO Malaysian universities. Two horror stories. Two sets of mutilated campus cats – victims of cruelty that is both baffling and deeply unsettling.
Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in Kota Samarahan recently became unlikely stages for a chilling drama.
Stray cats, long considered part of campus life by students and staff, were found dismembered, their bodies marked by wounds suggesting something far more than random violence.
Veterinarian Dr Davies Belayong, a respected figure in Kuching’s veterinary community, analysed photographs of the mutilated cats at Unimas. He noted the injuries exhibited “clean lacerations” and a “method of dismemberment” devoid of typical predator bite marks.
Such evidence “strongly suggests deliberate human involvement,” Dr Davies concluded.
This points to a calculated and controlled form of mutilation – a trait alarmingly consistent with behaviour studied in psychopathic individuals.
Michael Kong, special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, weighed in on the issue, saying it now extends beyond how the kitten died and into deeply troubling questions about human behaviour.
“The question is no longer just how the kitten died, but how any person could carry out such an act,” Kong said.
“This raises deeply concerning possibilities about underlying human psychological issues that must not be overlooked. This is no longer just a case of animal cruelty – it is now a matter of campus safety and mental health.”
Kong urged Unimas to appoint independent experts, including mental health professionals, to conduct a thorough assessment of the case.
“Unimas must take immediate steps to ensure the safety of all residents by proactively identifying individuals who may require psychological support – not only for their own well-being, but also for the safety of the broader campus community.”
“This is not a moment to brush matters aside. It is a time for accountability, compassion, and courage. The campus community deserves to feel safe, and that begins with confronting uncomfortable truths,” Kong added.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, a medical doctor and animal rights advocate, has also called for serious investigations, highlighting the methodical nature of the mutilations and the possible threat to campus safety.
“This is not mischief. It is cruelty with intent,” Dr Yii said.
“The way these cats were mutilated fits the behavioural pattern of someone dangerous – not just to animals, but possibly to people.”
Both UM and Unimas fall under Malaysia’s Higher Education Ministry, sharing oversight and standards. Despite public concern, the official responses from the universities have been cautious.
At UM, a university spokesperson acknowledged the reports but noted that no official police report had been filed yet.
“We take these allegations seriously and are committed to cooperating fully with authorities once formal complaints are lodged,” the spokesperson said.
“Campus security is also reviewing measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Meanwhile, Unimas has confirmed that the recent death of a kitten at its Allamanda Residential College on April 18 did not involve any element of human abuse.
In a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Division, the university said the findings were based on an investigation conducted by the Unimas Security Division.
The probe included witness interviews, review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, and analysis of photos and videos taken at the scene.
The issue arose after a social media post emerged containing gruesome images of a dismembered kitten and its body parts, which the user claimed were found around the campus’ residential area. The post alleged that the kitten was killed by a person, suggesting foul play and elements of animal cruelty at work.
Unimas said it had received a report from campus residents on April 18 regarding the death of the kitten in the residential area.
The university emphasised that it takes the matter seriously and is committed to ensuring the campus remains a safe and humane environment for all its residents, including abandoned animals that have found refuge there.
“Unimas is concerned about the incident involving the cat’s death and urges campus residents to remain vigilant and work together to monitor the presence of stray or abandoned animals on campus to ensure their welfare is safeguarded,” the statement read.
Authorities, including local police, have yet to release official statements on the status of investigations, but the matter falls under the purview of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which criminalises animal cruelty with penalties of up to RM100,000 in fines and/or three years’ imprisonment.
The cats’ deaths are more than tragic animal cruelty. They are a warning sign – a silent alarm ringing in our public universities. When such acts happen with precision, repetition, and apparent calm, they suggest a mind capable of planning, concealment, and violence.
Psychologists and criminologists often recognise such calculated animal mutilation as a hallmark of psychopathic tendencies.
Universities are places dedicated to nurturing knowledge and humanity. They must not ignore these signs. They must act swiftly, installing surveillance cameras, forming welfare task forces, and collaborating closely with veterinary and mental health experts to ensure both animal welfare and campus safety.
As a society, we must also confront a difficult truth. Calculated animal cruelty frequently precedes more severe violent behaviour. The mutilated cats of UM and Unimas may be the first victims, but they could tragically be the last if ignored.
Until the perpetrator is found and justice served, the question will haunt these campuses: Who is the mind behind these mutilations – and what else are they capable of?
Were both mutilations the work of the same hand? A chilling possibility. Could the perpetrator be a former medical student from Universiti Malaya, now pursuing postgraduate studies at Unimas – the Sarawak branch of UM in this dark trail of speculation?
The academic link between UM and Unimas raises more questions than answers.
Coincidence, or a calculated move? Whodunit? The question looms! – May 17, 2025
Joseph Masilamany is a seasoned journalist and Scoop’s contributing writer
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