Vietnam Police Arrest 12 for Stealing Nearly 2,700 Cats

Vietnamese police have arrested twelve people on charges of setting traps for stray cats and stealing domestic pets to sell their meat to restaurants. The operation resulted in the seizure of fifty live cats, various traps, and seven motorbikes, according to reports from Vietnam News and VnExpress International.

Scale of Cat Theft Operation

Authorities stated that approximately 2,700 cats were victims of these criminal activities. Media outlets reported that the group recruited members across different residential areas in Ho Chi Minh City to carry out the cat hunting operations.

Legal Status of Feline Meat

Under Vietnamese law, the theft of pet cats is classified as property theft. While consuming cat meat remains legal in the country and is served by certain establishments, restaurant owners are required to provide certificates verifying the source of the meat they serve.

Prior Enforcement Actions

This recent crackdown follows earlier enforcement efforts in the same city. Police in Ho Chi Minh City had previously detained around eighteen individuals on suspicion of stealing cats for food purposes earlier this year.