Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Vietnam Police Arrest 12 Suspects in Cat Theft Ring
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 12 men suspected of taking cats and selling them for meat.
Investigators say the men worked in small groups at night.
They allegedly used fish as bait and traps to catch cats near homes.
Police say about 2,700 cats were stolen and sold.
A raid on July 8 found 50 cats and equipment investigators say was used by the group.
Thirteen of the cats have been returned to their owners.
Police have not said how long the alleged operation lasted.
The men are being investigated for property theft.
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 12 men suspected of stealing and reselling about 2,700 cats for meat.
Authorities identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged leader; the suspects are under investigation for property theft.
Investigators say groups used fish as bait and traps to steal cats from residential areas at night.
A July 8 raid in Dong Thanh Commune recovered 50 cats, 55 traps, and two scales; 13 cats were returned to their owners.
Police have not determined how long the alleged network had been operating.
- Who
- Twelve men, including alleged leader Luu Thanh Binh, were arrested.
- What
- They are suspected of stealing and reselling approximately 2,700 cats for meat.
- When
- The network was exposed in a raid on July 8; the period during which it allegedly operated is unknown.
- Where
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; the raid took place in Dong Thanh Commune.
- Why
- Police say the cats were stolen to be slaughtered for food and sold.
- Suspects arrested
- 12 men
- Cats allegedly stolen and sold
- Approximately 2,700
- Alleged leader
- Luu Thanh Binh, 39
- Raid date
- July 8
- Cats recovered
- 50
- Traps recovered
- 55
- Cats returned to owners
- 13
- Investigation
- Property theft