Yu Zhen Chen, 25, was released from jail Sunday night after posting bond. He was arrested on July 26 after Philadelphia Police saw video that showed him throwing kittens in the air, rolling them on the ground, and swinging them in circles.
Chen is the owner of the Red Star Chinese take-out restaurant in the Logan section of the city. Police were investigating a shooting at the restaurant earlier in the week when they found the disturbing video and contacted the SPCA.
"This is not neglect. It's malicious and he was intending on purposely hurting and torturing these kittens it's very disturbing," said Richard Loos, PSPCA.
Investigators say they were only able to rescue the mother cat and two of her kittens. They are recovering at the SPCA.
Chen is charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.
On Monday, NBC10 went to Chen's take-out restaurant to find out his side of the story. The owner hid out of our camera's view when we arrived however.
A woman who often eats at the restaurant spoke to NBC10 later on during the day. She told us she asked Chen's wife about the abuse after she saw the story on Friday.
"She told me that they were just feeding the cats and making sure they were alright," said the woman. "So I asked why he was dangling the cats. She said it was a little one and her husband was just playing with it. Now if you didn't do it, I would just tell my side. Evidently something must have happened because he doesn't even want to talk to you all."
