Twelve men have been taken into custody in Vietnam after allegedly confessing to a large-scale operation to steal and sell roughly 2,700 cats, according to Ho Chi Minh City police.
The suspects are accused of targeting pets in residential areas, using fish as bait to lure the animals into traps before slaughtering them for food. Police stated that the groups, which traveled on motorbikes at night, typically stole between four and ten cats per evening.
During the investigation, authorities seized an array of equipment including cat traps, fur-removal machines, weighing scales, mobile phones, and motorbikes. On July 8, police confiscated 50 cats along with 6.7 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $257). The detainees were subsequently questioned and made the confessions regarding the broader scope of their alleged activities.
Of the 50 cats recovered in that initial raid, 13 have been reunited with their owners, while the remainder are currently housed at the HavePaws animal welfare center. Police have released images of the rescued animals to aid in identifying their owners.
The incident highlights a persistent issue in Vietnam, where the consumption of dog and cat meat is legal, though vendors are required to hold permits documenting the animals’ origins. According to Humane World for Animals, an estimated one million cats and five million dogs are captured, trafficked, and slaughtered for meat annually in the country.
However, public sentiment appears to be shifting. A 2023 survey by the same organization indicated that 71% of respondents, particularly younger people and pet owners, support a ban on the trade and consumption of cat meat. This follows a separate operation in June, where authorities dismantled another suspected theft ring and rescued more than 400 cats.
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