Without appropriate animal protection laws, relying on moral criticism alone definitely couldn't quell the public outrage, and this era wasn't like ten years later when any little incident could be directly posted online as images or videos.
Even if it could draw more attention and criticism, it wasn't enough to sufficiently punish the abuser.
What use is criticism? What use are moral constraints?
Can they bring the three little cats back to life, or give the mother cat justice?
They can't. That tattooed man didn't even have to pay a fine; moral criticism to him was like a fart that dissipates with the wind.
"I slam my own cat and it's none of your business! Meddling fools, all of you must be itching for trouble!" the tattooed man yelled at the murmuring crowd around him.
The recent act of violence clearly made the onlooking crowd wary, their voices not as loud, and those who came forward to criticize were beaten down.