HO CHI MINH CITY — Authorities in Vietnam have detained 12 men in connection with a widespread operation that allegedly stole and resold around 2,700 cats for human consumption, according to state media reports.
Police identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the ringleader of the network. He and his co-defendants face investigation on charges of theft. Investigators stated that Binh purchased the stolen animals, housed them at a facility in northern Ho Chi Minh City, and subsequently sold them for meat.
The operation relied on suppliers who recruited individuals to patrol residential areas on motorcycles between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. These runners were tasked with hunting and trapping four to 10 cats per night.
Law enforcement conducted a raid on July 8, seizing approximately 50 cats and dozens of traps. The suspects confessed to the scale of the theft, though police did not disclose how long the ring had been active. During the raid, authorities returned 13 of the confiscated animals to their rightful owners, while a nonprofit animal rights organization took custody of the remainder pending owner identification.
Under Vietnamese law, dogs and cats are classified as private property, making their theft a criminal offense punishable when the value exceeds 2 million dong (approximately $77).
This case reflects broader shifts in Vietnam regarding the consumption of companion animals. While eating dog and cat meat has historical roots, particularly among older generations in the north, the practice is declining due to urbanization and rising pet ownership. Younger Vietnamese increasingly view these animals as companions rather than food.
Public opposition has grown in recent years. In 2024, more than 250,000 people signed a petition demanding an end to the trade, and the city of Hoi An pledged in 2021 to ban the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat. Beliefs linking cat meat to good luck persist among some, despite lacking scientific evidence.
The arrest follows a separate incident in June, where police rescued over 400 cats. In that operation, at least 40 animals were reunited with owners, but dozens of dead cats were discovered packed in ice.
How long were they operating for? The article says ‘undisclosed period,’ which feels like a massive oversight.
It’s sad but true that demand drives these crimes. More education is needed, not just arrests.
This is absolutely horrific. 2,700 cats? I can’t believe this scale exists.