Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have recently apprehended a group of twelve men accused of orchestrating a widespread theft operation targeting local cats. The group is alleged to have stolen thousands of feline pets during late-night motorcycle excursions across various neighbourhoods in the city. According to local media, the stolen animals were subsequently sold for meat.
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Vietnamese police have reported that the suspects were part of a larger network responsible for the theft of an estimated 2,700 cats, intended for consumption. The ringleader, identified as 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh, is said to have not only purchased the stolen cats but also maintained a hiding place in Ho Chi Minh City where the animals were kept before being sold for meat. Reports indicate that Binh allegedly provided tools needed for trapping, facilitating the group’s criminal activities.
The methods employed by the group involved splitting into smaller teams and conducting searches in residential areas between 11 PM and 4 AM, a tactic designed to minimise detection. Upon identifying potential targets, they employed traps to capture the cats swiftly, taking them away in the dead of night. It is estimated that the group could steal between four and ten cats in a single night.
The investigation into this illicit operation commenced earlier in the year, culminating in a police raid on July 8, where 50 cats were rescued, alongside the seizure of 55 traps, two weighing scales, 14 bags, 13 mobile phones, seven motorcycles, and two cat-grooming machines. Authorities have indicated that during the questioning process, several suspects confessed to their involvement, admitting to the extensive scale of their activities.
Among the cats rescued during this operation, at least 13 have been returned to their rightful owners. The remaining cats, unable to be claimed, have been transferred to the HAVEPAWS Social Center, a recognised animal welfare organisation, until permanent homes can be found for them.
In Vietnam, the consumption of cat and dog meat is legal, and this practice has a historical basis, particularly in the northern regions of the country. While eating these animals has seen a decline in popularity over recent years, there remains a market for cat meat, with reports indicating that restaurants purchase it for approximately 70,000 dong (about £2.70) per kilogram.
Despite the legal status of cat meat consumption, the theft of pets is against the law in Vietnam. Under current legislation, dogs and cats are classified as private property, meaning that individuals found guilty of stealing them could face criminal charges, particularly if the value of the stolen animal exceeds 2 million dong (around £77).
This bust in Ho Chi Minh City is not an isolated incident; earlier this year, authorities carried out a separate operation that resulted in the rescue of over 400 cats, marking one of Vietnam’s largest crackdowns on the cat meat trade. These actions are part of growing concerns and advocacy from animal rights groups regarding the treatment and welfare of pets in the country.
As debates surrounding animal rights continue to evolve in Vietnam, incidents like this spotlight the complex interplay between traditional practices and modern sensitivities concerning pet ownership and animal welfare. The authorities’ ongoing efforts to crack down on animal theft reflect a broader movement towards recognising the importance of pet ownership and protection in an increasingly urbanised society. Additionally, these developments may prompt a re-evaluation of the legal frameworks surrounding animal rights within the region, as more voices join in advocating for the humane treatment of all animals.