Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, arrested 12 men suspected of operating a citywide ring that stole and resold about 2,700 cats for meat, reports BritPanorama.
Police identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged leader of the network. He and 11 others are being investigated for theft, according to state media reports.
Investigators stated that Binh purchased stolen cats, kept them at a facility in the city’s north, and resold them for meat. The operation involved suppliers who rode motorcycles through residential neighborhoods between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., capturing four to ten cats each night.
The consumption of dog and cat meat exists in various parts of Asia, including Vietnam, though it is not widespread. Traditionally, cat meat is more often consumed in northern regions among older generations.
This practice has declined due to increasing pet ownership and urbanization, with younger Vietnamese tending to view dogs and cats as companion animals.
In 2024, over 250,000 signatures were collected on a petition advocating for an end to Vietnam’s dog and cat meat trade. Additionally, the city of Hoi An pledged in 2021 to prohibit the sale and consumption of both dog and cat meat.
Some individuals believe that consuming cat meat brings good luck, although such claims lack scientific backing.
On July 8, police raided the network’s operations, discovering approximately 50 cats and dozens of traps. Reports indicated that the suspects confessed to stealing and selling around 2,700 cats, although police did not confirm how long this operation had been active.
Authorities returned 13 of the seized cats to their owners; a nonprofit animal rights group is currently caring for the remaining cats while efforts are made to locate their owners.
Under Vietnamese law, dogs and cats are categorized as private property, with theft considered a criminal offense. Prosecution generally follows when the value of the stolen property exceeds 2 million dong ($77).
In a separate raid in June, police reported rescuing more than 400 cats, with at least 40 reunited with their owners. However, dozens of deceased cats were found improperly stored in ice.
