Exclusive: Inside the shadowy global networks that torture cats for profit | CNN

Exclusive: Inside the shadowy global networks that torture cats for profit

cat deleters thumb.jpg

Exclusive: Inside the shadowy global networks that torture cats for profit

During a months-long investigation, CNN infiltrates and exposes the shadowy global networks which promote an underground marketplace of cat torture videos, aimed at customers who get a kick out of seeing animals suffer. CNN’s Ivan Watson speaks to the online sleuths and activists fighting to dismantle these networks.

Note: The Chinese government and social media platform X did not respond to CNN’s request for comment. YouTube and Telegram told CNN that content promoting violence against animals is banned on their platforms; Meta declined to comment.

03:23 - Source: CNN

World News 19 videos

cat deleters thumb.jpg

Exclusive: Inside the shadowy global networks that torture cats for profit

03:23

Now playing

- Source: CNN

amanpour fm split.jpg

Iranian diplomat says Iran will do 'whatever necessary' if US joins conflict

01:18

Now playing

- Source: CNN

This photo released on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, shows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised speech, under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran's supreme leader responds to Trump's call for surrender

00:43

Now playing

- Source: CNN

250617_NPW_US Iran 16x9.00_00_17_01.Still002.jpg

This is how the US could get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict

02:14

Now playing

- Source: CNN

A woman gave birth to triplets Monday in Israel’s Rambam hospital, one of several in the country that have moved some operations underground as Iranian strikes hit the city of Haifa this week, according to Reuters.

Woman gives birth to triplets in underground Israeli hospital

00:44

Now playing

- Source: CNN

250617_Trump_Gabbard_Iran_H THUMB0.jpg

Trump disputes intel chief Tulsi Gabbard on Iran

00:26

Now playing

- Source: CNN

ukr strike 1.jpg

Footage shows dramatic moment Russian drone hits apartment building in Kyiv

00:39

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Here's a look at US military assets available for use in the Middle East

04:10

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Israel iran Strikes Bus THUMB.png

Social media videos capture damage from latest Iranian strikes on Israel

00:30

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Marc Tice, father of missing journalist Austin Tice, discusses with CNN’s Erin Burnett amid reports that his son was executed while being detained in Syria for several years.

Father of missing journalist Austin Tice responds to claims that his son was executed

04:22

Now playing

- Source: CNN

See Venetians protest Jeff Bezos’ wedding

00:46

Now playing

- Source: CNN

112651_trump qna airforce one_clean.00_00_33_18.Still001.jpg

Trump tells CNN reporter why he left G7

00:44

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Trump slams Macron's comment on why he has to leave G7 summit early

00:35

Now playing

- Source: CNN

A satellite image taken on June 14th, 2025, shows no visible damage to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Israel targeted the site during its Friday attacks, but the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was not impacted and the Israeli Military has not claimed any significant damage there. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies.

The secretive Iranian nuclear site that’s a key target for Israel

01:00

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Screenshot 2025-06-16 at 1.40.59 PM.png

Ex-Israeli Defense Minister says US ‘has capabilities we don’t possess’

01:28

Now playing

- Source: CNN

trump g7.jpg

Trump slams G7 for kicking out Russia

00:36

Now playing

- Source: CNN

Clarissa Ward reports from Tamra, a village in northern Israel inhabited by predominantly Palestinian citizens of Israel, where four civilians were killed after an Iranian rocket struck their home.

Clarissa Ward visits Palestinian village in Israel where Iranian rocket struck a home

02:17

Now playing

- Source: CNN

<p>CNN's Nic Robertson shows aftermath of deadly Iranian missile attack in a residential area in central Israeli city of Bat Yam. The death toll in Israel from overnight strikes by Iran has risen to at least 10, as emergency workers on the ground continue search and rescue operations.</p>

Israel town of Bat Yam came under Iranian missile attack

06:26

Now playing

- Source: CNN

nic rocket .jpg

Nic Robertson describes downed projectile in Israel

00:30

Now playing

- Source: CNN