Vietnamese police arrest 12 suspected of prowling city streets at night, snatching cats for meat

The arrests were presented as a crackdown on a reported cat‑stealing operation that targeted domestic animals in the capital. Officials said the suspects were detained as part of a broader effort to curb illegal animal trade. The investigation uncovered what authorities describe as a network that allegedly removed approximately 2,700 cats from private homes, intending to slaughter them for food.

The BBC characterized the group as a cat‑trafficking ring operating in the southern metropolis, while CBS News noted the scale of the alleged thefts, emphasizing that the animals were taken from households across multiple districts. NPR reported that police said the men habitually patrolled neighborhoods at night, targeting unprotected cats. Both AL.com and Yahoo echoed the figure of 2,700 stolen cats, reinforcing the scope of the alleged operation.

The reports do not specify what charges the twelve suspects will face, what penalties may apply, or whether any of the captured cats have been rescued. No statements were provided on the prevalence of cat meat consumption in Vietnam or on steps authorities plan to take to prevent similar incidents in the future.