Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have arrested 12 men suspected of operating a large-scale ring that allegedly stole and resold around 2,700 cats for meat, with the group reportedly prowling residential neighbourhoods late at night to capture the animals.
Vietnamese authorities said the suspects were arrested and investigated for property theft after an investigation uncovered a network that allegedly bought, collected and resold stolen cats.
Police identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged leader of the operation. Investigators said he purchased live cats believed to have been stolen, kept them at a facility in Ho Chi Minh City and then resold them for meat.
The case has highlighted the continuing trade in dog and cat meat in parts of Vietnam, while also drawing attention to the growing number of Vietnamese who keep cats and dogs as household pets.
Suspects Allegedly Hunted Cats After Midnight
According to Vietnamese police, the network operated through several smaller groups.
Members reportedly travelled by motorcycle through residential areas between 11pm and 4am, when streets were quieter and residents were asleep.
The groups divided up different areas and searched for cats roaming around homes and neighbourhoods. They allegedly used traps, some of which were homemade or supplied by Binh.
Police said each group could capture approximately four to 10 cats in a single night.
The animals were then allegedly handed over to Binh or other suppliers in the network, who collected and resold them.
Investigators said the operation involved several locations on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, including Dong Thanh, Hoc Mon, Tan Thoi Hiep and An Hoi Tay.
Police Raid Uncovered Cats and Dozens of Traps
Authorities first uncovered the operation during a raid on July 8.
Police seized approximately 50 cats, along with 55 cat traps, two weighing scales, 14 bags, seven motorcycles, 13 mobile phones and two machines used for removing fur.
They also seized about 6.7 million Vietnamese dong (around US$260) in cash, according to Vietnamese police.
The cats were taken into protective care while officers investigated where they had come from.
Police later returned 13 of the rescued cats to their owners.
The remaining animals were transferred to an animal welfare organisation while authorities continued trying to identify their owners.
Residents who believe their cats may have been stolen have been encouraged to contact authorities or the animal welfare centre to determine whether their pets were among those recovered.
Suspects Allegedly Admitted Stealing About 2,700 Cats
During questioning, the 12 suspects reportedly told investigators that they had stolen and sold approximately 2,700 cats.
Authorities have not established exactly how long the operation had been running.
Police also said Binh did not rely solely on cats stolen by the network. He allegedly purchased animals from independent suppliers as well.
The reported number of animals involved makes the case one of the larger cat-theft investigations reported in the city this year.
Vietnamese authorities have separately investigated other networks accused of stealing cats and supplying them to the meat trade.
Cat Meat Trade Faces Growing Opposition
Eating dog and cat meat has existed in parts of Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia, but the practice has increasingly faced criticism as pet ownership becomes more widespread.
In Vietnam, cat meat has traditionally been more associated with some northern communities and older generations.
Younger Vietnamese are increasingly likely to regard cats and dogs as companion animals rather than livestock, according to reports.
In 2024, more than 250,000 people signed a petition calling for an end to Vietnam’s dog and cat meat trade.
The city of Hoi An also pledged in 2021 to work towards ending the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat.
Some people have traditionally associated eating cat meat with good luck, although there is no scientific evidence supporting such beliefs.
Stealing Cats Is a Crime
Vietnamese law treats dogs and cats as private property.
As a result, taking someone’s pet without permission can constitute theft.
Police said criminal prosecution generally applies when the value of the stolen property exceeds 2 million dong (about US$77).
The 12 suspects are being investigated under the country’s property-theft laws. The arrests and allegations do not by themselves establish guilt, and the case remains subject to the legal process.
Another Major Cat Rescue in June
The latest arrests follow another major operation in Ho Chi Minh City in June.
Police then reported rescuing more than 400 cats believed to be connected to a separate cat-meat trafficking operation.
At least 40 were subsequently reunited with their owners.
Animal welfare groups said several other cats had died after being found in poor conditions, underscoring concerns about the treatment of animals caught up in the illicit trade.
The repeated investigations suggest that stolen household pets remain a concern in some parts of the country, particularly where criminal groups can profit from selling the animals.
Authorities Continue Investigating
Police have not said how much money the alleged network made from the sale of the cats or identified all of its potential buyers.
They are continuing to investigate the 12 suspects and the wider network of people allegedly involved in collecting, transporting and reselling the animals.
For residents whose pets disappeared from their homes, however, the recovery of dozens of cats has offered a chance of getting some of them back.
The investigation also highlights a growing tension in Vietnam between an established meat trade and changing attitudes towards animals as pets.
For the 12 men arrested in Ho Chi Minh City, authorities are now working to establish the full scale of the alleged operation and determine their individual roles in the theft and resale of thousands of cats.
