Around 40 cats that had been stolen and allegedly destined to be sold as meat for human consumption have been returned to their owners after Vietnamese authorities dismantled a cat trafficking network, an animal protection organization said.
Nine people were arrested last week in connection with what police described as a criminal group specializing in the theft and collection of cats, according to the police newspaper of Ho Chi Minh City.
During the operation, authorities recovered more than 400 live cats, along with 80 dead cats that had been preserved on ice.
The investigation was launched following a wave of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City. Police said the suspects admitted to trapping cats for three years across southern Vietnam.
At least 40 stolen animals have so far been reunited with their families, according to the animal welfare organization Humane World for Animals, which described the operation as a decisive action that saved the lives of many animals.
“While efforts continue to reunite stolen cats with their families, our main concern is for those that remain at the police station as evidence during the legal process,” said Karunvir Kukreja, a representative of the organization.
Humane World for Animals also announced that it provided food and arranged for fans to help the rescued cats cope with the heat while they remain under care.
The case has drawn attention to animal trafficking and the illegal trade involving stolen pets. In Vietnam, the consumption of cat and dog meat is legal, and some restaurants serve these products openly. However, sellers are required to have certificates proving the origin of the animals.
