AI Image
Vietnamese police arrest 12 suspected of prowling city streets at night, snatching cats for meat
npr.org • • world
Key Points:
- Vietnamese police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 12 men suspected of running a ring that stole and resold approximately 2,700 cats for meat consumption.
- The alleged leader, 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh, reportedly bought stolen cats, kept them at a facility, and worked with suppliers who trapped cats in residential areas during late-night hours.
- Although consuming dog and cat meat has traditional roots in parts of Vietnam, especially the north, the practice is declining due to urbanization and changing attitudes among younger generations.
- Authorities raided the operation on July 8, confiscating about 50 cats and dozens of traps, returning some cats to owners and placing others under animal rights group care.
- Under Vietnamese law, stealing cats is treated as theft since they are private property, with criminal charges applicable if the stolen property's value exceeds roughly $77.
