Vietnam Police Arrest 12 in Alleged Cat-Stealing Ring Linked to Illegal Meat Trade

Vietnam police arrest 12 in cat-stealing ring, with 2,700 pets allegedly taken for slaughter. Investigation reveals illegal meat trade network.

Editorial Desk

October 5, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Vietnamese authorities have detained 12 individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale cat theft operation, with nearly 2,700 felines reportedly stolen from homes and sent for slaughter, according to police and state media.

The suspects were found with tools such as fur removal machines, traps, and measuring scales during the investigation into the alleged cat trafficking network. While eating dogs and cats is legally permitted in Vietnam, vendors must provide documentation proving the animals’ origin, though enforcement remains inconsistent.

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Police confirmed that the arrested men admitted to stealing and selling approximately 2,700 cats, with each team reportedly capturing between four and 10 animals per night. The operation was first uncovered in July, when officials seized 50 live cats along with equipment used in the trade. This follows earlier arrests in Ho Chi Minh City, where over 400 cats were rescued in a major crackdown last year.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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