Original Summary

Ho Chi Minh City Police / Police released photos of the cats that were rescued - 13 have been returned to their owners Twelve men have been arrested in Vietnam after allegedly confessing to stealing and selling around 2,700 cats, Ho Chi Minh City police have said. Cat traps, fur removal machines and measuring scales were among the items seized during the investigation. The men are suspected of taking the pets to be slaughtered for food. Police allege the suspects roamed through residential areas in small groups on motorbikes at night to steal the cats. The men reportedly used pieces of fish as bait, placing traps outside houses where they knew cats were kept, state media reported. Thirteen of the rescued felines have since been returned to their owners. According to the animal protection organisation, Humane World for Animals, an estimated five million dogs and one million cats are captured, stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat in Vietnam every year. The consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in the country, where many restaurants openly advertise it on their menu. But vendors require permits that show the origin of the animals. Each group allegedly stole an average of four to 10 cats per night, according to a police statement in Ho Chi Minh City police department's official newspaper. On 8 July, police said they seized 50 cats, two weighing scales, 55 cat traps, 14 bags, 13 mobile phones, seven motorbikes, two fur-removing machines and 6.7 million Vietnamese dong ($257; £195). The 12 suspects were then brought in for questioning, and police say they confessed to stealing around 2,700 cats. Of the 50 cats that were seized, 13 have been returned to their owners, while the remaining are being kept at the animal welfare centre HavePaws. Phuong Tham / Humane World for Animals Viet Nam / More than 400 cats were seized by police in Ho Chi Minh City in June While the consumption of dog and cat meat remains more common in Vietnam than other Asian countries, campaigners say attitudes are changing. A 2023 survey commissioned by Humane World for Animals found growing public opposition, particularly among younger people and pet owners, with 71% backing a ban on the consumption and trade of cat meat. In June, more than 400 cats destined for slaughter were rescued after authorities dismantled another alleged feline theft ring, the animal welfare group said.

中文概览

中文标题： 越南12人因涉嫌经营猫贩运团伙被捕

胡志明市警方称，12名男子涉嫌夜间在居民区偷猫并出售，已 confession 约2700只猫；警方查获捕猫笼、去毛机、秤等物品，部分获救猫已归还主人。越南猫狗肉消费合法但需来源许可，动物保护组织称该国每年估计有500万只狗和100万只猫被捕捉、偷盗、贩运和屠宰。

  • 情报分类：综合情报
  • 分类依据：动物犯罪与社会新闻，不属于指定专业类别
  • 信息来源：英语新闻 / BBC News Top Stories
  • 发布时间：2026/10/5 23:10:35