Woman Convicted of Aggravated Animal Cruelty for Allegedly Torturing Small Animals in Graphic YouTube Videos

An Upper Darby woman faces serious legal repercussions after being convicted of multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, allegedly for torturing various small creatures during live-streamed videos on YouTube. Anigar Monsee, 29, reportedly broke down in tears as the Delaware County jury announced their decision, which came just one hour after deliberations in her trial.

According to prosecutors, Monsee’s videos depicted a series of disturbing acts that shocked viewers and raised significant ethical questions. Evidence presented during the trial showed her allegedly live-plucking the feathers of a pigeon and a chicken, actions that Assistant District Attorney Hannah Wylesol described as causing “severe pain.” In addition, jury members were reportedly shown graphic footage of Monsee using a dull knife to slowly decapitate both birds and, in another instance, a rabbit.

Perhaps most shocking was a video in which Monsee appeared to disembowel three small frogs while they were reportedly still alive. Wylesol characterized the footage as “brutal and graphic,” asserting that Monsee consciously prolonged the animals’ suffering while seeking to increase her viewership and “likes” on the platform.

During her defense, attorney Ian Pulz argued that Monsee’s actions stemmed from cultural practices she learned in her native Liberia, framing her behavior as part of a traditional food preparation process. Pulz maintained that the prosecution failed to appreciate the cultural context, stating that Monsee was simply sharing a meal in a manner akin to outdoor hunters or chefs preparing seafood.

Despite the defense’s argument, jurors were unconvinced, and they opted for a conviction after a brief deliberation. Wylesol contended that the defendant’s intent was clearly to inflict pain rather than to create a culinary experience, emphasizing that the videos were driven by a desire for social media fame rather than cultural authenticity.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about animal rights, social media ethics, and the responsibilities of content creators in an age where shocking content can quickly go viral. Many animal welfare advocates have voiced their outrage over the nature of the videos, calling for stricter laws to protect animals from such alleged exploitation and cruelty.

Monsee is due to be sentenced on July 17 by Delaware County Court Judge Mary Alice Brennan. As the community and animal rights groups await the court’s decision, they remain concerned about the implications of such behaviors for animal welfare and the normalization of violence against living beings for entertainment purposes.

This case not only highlights the darker side of social media but also raises critical questions about cultural practices, ethical responsibility, and the boundaries of acceptable content in the quest for online fame.