Vietnamese authorities have arrested 12 men accused of orchestrating a large-scale criminal network that stole approximately 2,700 cats from residential neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City. The suspects allegedly targeted household pets during late-night raids to supply the country’s illicit cat meat trade.
Criminal proceedings formally began on Sunday following an extensive investigation led by police in Dong Thanh Commune. Investigators stated that the suspect group operated across multiple districts, including Hoc Mon and local wards, utilizing motorbikes and custom traps to harvest pets while residents slept.
How the Cat Theft Ring Operated
According to police reports, the syndicate was meticulously organized and split into small teams to minimize the risk of detection. The suspects operated primarily between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. They placed homemade or purchased traps baited with fish outside residential homes where domestic cats were kept.
Each small team reportedly stole between four and 10 cats per night. The stolen animals were then funneled to a primary buyer, identified by authorities as 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh from Can Tho City. Binh maintained a collection and storage point on TX39 Street in Thoi An Ward, where he accumulated the animals before reselling them to local vendors and restaurants.
During targeted raids, police confiscated a massive cache of incriminating evidence, including:
- 50 live cats
- 55 specialized cat traps
- Two fur removal machines
- Two weighing scales
- 14 storage bags
- 13 mobile phones
- Seven motorbikes
- VND 6.7 million (approximately $257 USD) in cash
Legal Status of the Cat Meat Trade in Vietnam
While the consumption of dog and cat meat remains legal in Vietnam, the industry faces increasingly strict regulatory scrutiny and growing public opposition. Vendors and restaurants are legally required to hold valid certificates proving the precise origin of the animals they slaughter and sell.
Investigators noted that stolen felines were typically sold to slaughterhouses and commercial kitchens for at least 70,000 dong (approx. $2.70 USD) per kilogram. Animal welfare groups and local authorities have repeatedly warned that the illicit trade heavily relies on property theft, endangering family pets across communities.
Recovery Efforts and Reclaiming Stolen Pets
Out of the hundreds of animals historically tied to the network’s operations, local law enforcement has successfully identified the owners of 13 recovered cats and returned them. The remaining rescued animals have been transferred to the HAVEPAWS Social Centre, an animal welfare non-profit providing medical care and temporary shelter.
Ho Chi Minh City police have urged residents who believe their pets were stolen to contact the Dong Thanh Commune Police or the HAVEPAWS Social Centre to complete verification procedures. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their investigation to identify additional participants involved in buying, trafficking, or slaughtering stolen animals.
