Home / Crime and Justice / Pets Plucked: Night Raids Snatch 2,700 Cats
Pets Plucked: Night Raids Snatch 2,700 Cats
5 Oct
Summary
- Twelve men were arrested for stealing nearly 2,700 cats.
- The stolen pets were taken to be slaughtered for food.
- Police confiscated fur removal machines and cat traps.
Vietnamese police apprehended 12 individuals accused of a large-scale cat-stealing operation, reportedly involving nearly 2,700 felines.
The suspects are alleged to have conducted night raids, targeting pets in residential areas for subsequent slaughter and sale as meat. Authorities confiscated items including fur removal machines, cat traps, and scales during the investigation in Ho Chi Minh City.
While consuming cat and dog meat is legal in Vietnam, regulations require documentation of the animals' origin. Reports indicate that stolen cats can fetch a significant price at restaurants. The arrested men have reportedly confessed to their involvement in stealing and trafficking approximately 2,700 cats.
This incident follows earlier law enforcement actions, including the rescue of over 400 cats in June from another crime ring. Animal welfare groups emphasize the widespread nature of this illicit trade, with thousands of cats reportedly stolen and slaughtered monthly across the country.
