Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have dismantled a major criminal ring responsible for stealing and slaughtering cats. Police seized over 500 animals and detained nine suspects in what is considered one of Vietnam’s largest cat welfare cases in recent years.
Investigators discovered 45 cages containing approximately 400 live cats and foam containers holding 80 deceased animals at the primary site. An additional 21 live cats were recovered at a secondary location. Suspects admitted to operating across southern Vietnam for three years, targeting pets in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, and An Giang.
While more than 40 cats have been reunited with owners, approximately 100 died due to severe confinement conditions. Humane World for Animals described the bust as a sobering reminder of the trade's scale. Although consumption remains legal, this operation coincides with government plans to strengthen pet protection laws following South Korea’s 2024 ban on dog meat.