Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have arrested 12 men suspected of operating a large-scale criminal network that stole and resold approximately 2,700 pet cats for their meat. Law enforcement officials identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged ringleader of the operation. All 12 suspects are currently facing formal criminal charges for property theft following their detention.
Details of the Cat Theft Operation
Investigators revealed that Binh purchased stolen felines and housed them at a specialized facility located in the northern part of Ho Chi Minh City. From there, the animals were resold to restaurants and vendors. In the underground market, stolen cat meat typically commands a price of at least 70,000 dong ($2.70) per kilogram.
According to police reports, the suspects worked in small groups and traveled via motorbikes through residential neighborhoods between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. To capture the animals, the perpetrators used pieces of fish as bait alongside homemade and purchased traps placed outside residential homes. Each active group allegedly managed to steal between four and 10 cats per night.
Police Raids and Confiscated Equipment
The network was uncovered following a targeted police raid on July 8. During the operation in Đông Thạnh Commune, authorities seized:
- 50 live cats
- 55 cat traps
- Two weighing scales
- Two fur-removing machines
- 14 storage bags
- 13 mobile phones
- Seven motorbikes
- 6.7 million Vietnamese dong ($257) in cash
During subsequent police questioning, the 12 detained suspects confessed to stealing and trafficking approximately 2,700 cats of various breeds. Out of the 50 live cats rescued during the initial raid, 13 have successfully been reunited with their rightful owners. The remaining animals have been placed in the care of the Havepaws Social Centre, an animal welfare non-profit organization based in the city.
Legal Framework and Cultural Shifts in Vietnam
Under Vietnamese law, domestic dogs and cats are legally classified as private property, meaning that stealing them constitutes formal property theft. Criminal prosecution is generally triggered when the value of stolen goods exceeds 2 million dong ($77).
While the consumption of dog and cat meat remains legal in Vietnam-with various restaurants openly displaying it on menus alongside mandatory origin certificates-public attitudes are shifting. Animal welfare groups, such as Humane World for Animals, report that an estimated five million dogs and one million cats are captured and slaughtered for meat annually in the country.
However, increased urbanization and a rise in pet ownership have driven a generational decline in consumption. A 2023 public opinion survey commissioned by Humane World for Animals indicated that 71% of respondents strongly support a total ban on the trade and consumption of cat meat.
