A cat café in Bangkok has come under scrutiny for alleged animal cruelty after its owner was caught on video stepping on cats and throwing one against a wall.
The business, Just Cat Cafe, has been marked as permanently closed on Google Maps.
According to local officials who spoke to the Bangkok Post, the owner, whose name has not been released, has agreed to cooperate with legal proceedings. Authorities inspected the café on Jan. 26 following the circulation of online videos showing the abuse, which reportedly occurred when customers were not present.
In one video, a man could be seen grabbing a cat by its tail and flinging it across the room into a wall. The cat fell to the ground and limped away, while the man appeared to glance at his hand as if scratched.
Other footage showed employees handling cats roughly, with one person seen stepping on a cat as it tried to escape. In a separate clip, a man held a cat by the scruff of its neck and struck it.
Online visitors who had previously been to the café also reported that the cats suffered from skin fungus and ringworm infections, which were attributed to poor hygiene at the premises.
During the inspection, the café owner confirmed that the business had been permanently closed and said he would cooperate fully with authorities. He also stated that he would accept any legal penalties if the court found wrongdoing.
Animal welfare organisations are now making arrangements to rehome the 19 cats that had been housed at the café.
