Vietnam police bust cat-stealing ring accused of taking nearly 2,700 pets for slaughter
HANOI, Oct 5 — Vietnamese police have arrested 12 men accused of stealing nearly 2,700 cats during night rai...
Vietnamese authorities have apprehended 12 individuals suspected of operating a cat-stealing ring, according to police reports. The suspects allegedly stole nearly 2,700 cats during nighttime raids in Ho Chi Minh City, with the intent to slaughter them for human consumption. Fur-removal machines, cat traps, and weighing scales were among the items seized during the investigations.
The 12 men were arrested on charges of property theft and confessed to stealing and trafficking approximately 2,700 cats of various breeds. According to police, the crime took place between 11 pm and 4 am, as the suspects traveled in small groups on motorbikes through residential neighborhoods to carry out their illicit activities. The network was first uncovered in July, when police recovered 50 live cats, 55 cat traps, two scales, and two fur-removal machines.
The cat-stealing operation in Ho Chi Minh City is believed to have involved teams that typically stole between four and 10 cats per night. Earlier this year, police in the city arrested 18 individuals accused of being part of two separate cat-stealing rings. In Vietnam, the consumption of dog and cat meat is legal, and many restaurants openly display the meat on their menus.
However, vendors are required to provide proof of the animals' origin. The suspects reportedly sold stolen cats to restaurants at a minimum price of 70,000 dong (US$2.70) per kilogram.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
