Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have detained 12 men as part of an investigation into an alleged operation that stole and resold thousands of cats. Police say approximately 2,700 animals may have been taken from residential neighborhoods and subsequently supplied to the meat trade.
The case came to light after authorities raided a suspected collection site on July 8. Officers reportedly discovered around 50 live cats at the location, along with traps and other equipment believed to have been used to capture animals. Investigators also found weighing scales and machines reportedly used to remove fur.
According to Vietnamese police and state media reports, the suspected operation allegedly relied on teams working late at night and during the early hours of the morning. Groups reportedly traveled through residential areas on motorcycles, looking for cats that could be captured using traps.
Investigators said the teams generally operated between approximately 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Individual groups were allegedly able to collect several cats during a single night, with estimates suggesting that between four and 10 animals could be captured during one outing.
Police have identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged leader of the operation. Investigators claim he purchased cats obtained by members of the network, stored them at a facility in the northern part of Ho Chi Minh City and later arranged for the animals to be resold.
Authorities said the suspects acknowledged involvement in the theft and trafficking of about 2,700 cats. However, the investigation is continuing, and officials have not publicly established every detail surrounding the alleged operation. The claims remain allegations and will need to be addressed through the legal process.
The recovery of the animals has also led to efforts to reunite stolen pets with their owners. Police reportedly returned 13 cats to people who were able to demonstrate that the animals belonged to them. Other rescued cats were transferred to an animal welfare organization while authorities worked to determine their ownership.
The investigation has attracted attention partly because of the complex legal position surrounding the consumption of cat meat in Vietnam. Although the consumption of cat and dog meat is not generally prohibited, authorities require vendors to document the origin of animals in the meat trade. At the same time, cats and dogs are recognized as private property, meaning taking an animal without its owner’s permission can constitute theft.
The latest case also comes amid other investigations involving alleged cat-trafficking networks in Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier in 2026, authorities reported another operation in which more than 400 cats were rescued. Some of those animals were subsequently returned to their owners.
The incidents have highlighted concerns among pet owners about the disappearance of cats from residential areas and the possibility that organized groups may target household animals for financial gain.
For investigators, attention will now turn to establishing the precise responsibilities of each of the 12 suspects and determining whether others may have participated in the alleged network. Authorities are also expected to examine where the animals were transported and how they were distributed after being collected.
The investigation could provide further information about the scale and organization of the alleged operation as police continue gathering evidence. Officials will also need to identify additional owners whose pets may have been taken and determine the fate of animals that remain without confirmed owners.
For families who have recovered their missing pets, the arrests and subsequent rescue operation have brought some relief. However, many questions remain surrounding the thousands of cats allegedly involved.
The case has ultimately placed renewed attention on pet theft, animal trafficking and the responsibilities of businesses involved in the animal trade. As the investigation proceeds, authorities will be tasked with determining what happened to the animals and establishing whether the suspects can be held legally responsible for the alleged crimes.
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