Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have dismantled a criminal ring suspected of stealing and reselling approximately 2,700 cats for meat, according to Vietnamese state media reports. Police apprehended 12 men involved in the network, including its alleged leader, 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh, who is under investigation for theft along with his associates.

Investigators revealed that Binh acquired stolen cats and housed them at a facility in the northern part of the city before selling them for meat consumption. The operation relied on suppliers who recruited individuals to ride motorcycles through residential areas between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., capturing between four and ten cats per night.

While the consumption of dog and cat meat persists in parts of Asia, including Vietnam, it is not widespread and tends to be more prevalent among older generations in northern regions. The practice has been declining due to increasing pet ownership, urbanization, and shifting cultural attitudes, particularly among younger Vietnamese who view dogs and cats primarily as companion animals.

Public opposition to the trade has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, a petition calling for an end to Vietnam's dog and cat meat trade gathered over 250,000 signatures. Additionally, the city of Hoi An committed in 2021 to ceasing the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat.

Police conducted a raid on the syndicate’s facility on July 8, recovering around 50 cats and numerous traps. Authorities have returned 13 cats to their rightful owners, while a non-profit animal welfare organization is caring for the remaining animals pending owner identification. Vietnamese law classifies dogs and cats as private property, and theft charges apply if the stolen property’s value exceeds two million dong (approximately RM314).

Earlier, in a separate operation in June, police rescued over 400 cats, reuniting at least 40 with their owners. However, dozens of deceased cats were also discovered, packed in ice, underscoring ongoing concerns about animal welfare related to the trade.