A controversial Liberian YouTuber named Anigar Monsee is at the centre of a serious criminal case in Pennsylvania. Known for her so-called “traditional cooking” videos, Monsee has now been convicted on four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. With her sentencing scheduled for July 17, she could be facing years in prison—and possible deportation.
Who is Anigar Monsee?
Anigar Monsee is a 28-year-old woman originally from Liberia who lived in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She gained online attention through her YouTube channel, which had around 20,000 subscribers.
Her content, however, shocked many viewers. Rather than just cooking food, her videos showed graphic scenes of live animals being tortured, beheaded, and skinned—often while still alive.
The Shocking Content That Led to Charges
In one of Monsee’s most disturbing videos, she is seen torturing a pigeon before cutting off its head. She smiles at the camera and encourages viewers to “like and subscribe” as she carries out the act. Another video showed her snapping a chicken’s neck, pulling feathers from its moving body, and boiling it alive.
These videos were not hidden. Some clips gathered over 2,000 views and many comments praised her, which made the content even more alarming to animal rights activists. Groups like Revolution Philadelphia and PETA reported her channel to authorities, triggering a criminal investigation.
Legal Consequences and Public Outrage
After reviewing the evidence, a jury found Monsee guilty of four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The maximum punishment includes up to seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000. She also faces possible deportation due to her immigration status.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Tim Bernhardt described her actions as “disturbing and barbaric.” He said, “It takes a cold, heartless person to harm animals… But we would never have known if people hadn’t spoken up.”
Animal activists, including Carol Lutter from Revolution Philadelphia, welcomed the conviction, calling it a victory for the innocent animals who suffered.
Monsee’s Defence: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Monsee has defended her actions by saying that her videos represent traditional Liberian cooking. In a GoFundMe page she created to raise legal funds, she wrote that she is terrified of going to jail or being deported. She also expressed concern about what would happen to her daughter if she is removed from the country.
However, prosecutors disagreed. They argued that her actions went far beyond any traditional practices and were purely for entertainment and attention on social media. The court supported this view, rejecting the cultural defence as a valid excuse for animal cruelty.
YouTube Channel Taken Down
Following the legal backlash, YouTube removed Monsee’s channel. This move was supported by users and animal rights organisations, who had long criticised the platform for allowing such content to exist in the first place.