Vietnamese Police Bust Cat Theft Ring Supplying Meat Trade
En resumen
- Vietnamese police have dismantled a criminal network accused of stealing over 400 cats in southern Vietnam over three years.
- The animals were reportedly destined for slaughter and sale as meat, with nine suspects detained.
- Over 400 live cats were recovered, alongside many already dead.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
Vietnamese police have detained nine suspects in a criminal network accused of stealing cats over three years in the south of the country. The animals were reportedly destined for slaughter and sale as meat.
Vietnamese police have broken up a criminal network accused of stealing cats across the south of the country over a three-year period, with animals recovered destined for slaughter and sale as meat.
Nine suspects were detained last week on suspicion of involvement in what authorities described as a group "specialising in stealing and collecting cats", according to the Ho Chi Minh City police's official newspaper. Officers recovered more than 400 live animals alongside 80 already dead and stored on ice, as well as a further 21 cats seized from a separate location.
The operation was launched in response to a surge in pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City. Suspects reportedly admitted to luring and trapping cats at various locations across southern Vietnam.
While the consumption of cats and dogs is permitted under Vietnamese law, with many restaurants openly listing such dishes, traders are legally required to hold certificates proving the animals' provenance. It remains unclear whether the alleged ring held such documentation.
International animal welfare organisation Humane World for Animals confirmed that at least 40 of the recovered cats had been reunited with their owners as of Tuesday, praising police for "decisive action that has saved the lives of so many animals". However, it noted that around 100 of those rescued had since died as a result of their ordeal.
The group said its immediate priority was the welfare of the animals still being held at the police station as evidence during the ongoing prosecution.
"While efforts are continuing to reunite stolen cats with their families, our main concern is for the cats who remain at the police station as evidence during the prosecution," said Karanvir Kukreja of Humane World for Animals.
The organisation said it had supplied food for the animals and was arranging delivery of fans to prevent them from overheating in custody.
Ho Chi Minh City police had not responded to media requests for comment at the time of publication.
Preguntas abiertas
- Did the alleged ring hold documentation for the animals?
- What is the total number of animals stolen over the three years?
