Vietnam police arrest 12 over alleged theft of 2,700 cats

Vietnamese authorities have detained 12 men accused of operating a large-scale cat theft network in Ho Chi Minh City with investigators alleging that nearly 2,700 cats were stolen from residential areas and supplied for human consumption.

Vietnamese authorities have detained 12 men accused of operating a large-scale cat theft network in Ho Chi Minh City with investigators alleging that nearly 2,700 cats were stolen from residential areas and supplied for human consumption.

According to police and state-run media, the suspects allegedly carried out their activities during the late-night and early-morning hours. Groups of men reportedly travelled through neighbourhoods on motorcycles targeting cats between around 11pm and 4am.

Authorities confiscated equipment believed to have been used in the operation including traps weighing scales and machines designed to remove animal fur. Police said the suspects admitted involvement in stealing and transporting thousands of cats of different varieties.

Investigators first uncovered the suspected network in July. During an initial raid officers reportedly rescued 50 live cats and seized 55 traps two weighing devices and two fur-removal machines.

Police estimate that individual teams could capture between four and 10 cats during a single night. The animals were allegedly transported through the network and eventually sold into the food trade.

The case highlights an unusual and controversial aspect of Vietnam’s food industry. The consumption of dog and cat meat is not generally prohibited under Vietnamese law although businesses dealing in animals are required to have documentation showing where the animals came from.

Local reports have suggested that illegally obtained cats can fetch significant prices from restaurants with some reports putting the value at around 70,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.

Authorities began criminal proceedings against the 12 suspects on Sunday. They face allegations related to property theft and the trafficking of animals.

The arrests follow another police operation earlier this year in which 18 people were detained over two separate suspected cat-theft networks in Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting continued concern over the organised stealing of household pets.