4 eatery owners arrested for buying over 10 tonnes of meat from stolen dogs in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City police said on Tuesday that they were investigating a dog and cat theft ring allegedly led by Nguyen Ba Long, 29, from Dong Nai City, and Nguyen Long Yen Van, 40, his partner, along with nine accomplices.

The group allegedly organized the theft of pets for profit, assigning members to use cars to steal dogs and cats in Nghia Thanh, Kim Long, Ngai Giao, and nearby areas.

As investigators traced the stolen animals through the supply chain, they identified four dog meat restaurant owners who had regularly purchased large quantities of meat from Van.

In this case, four dog meat eatery owners have been charged and placed in pretrial detention: Luong Thi Thao, 32, from Hai Phong; Dinh Van Thinh, 30, from Hung Yen; Dang Thi Tho, 38, from Ninh Binh; and Nguyen Thi Ngoc, 41, from Hanoi.

Police said the four continued buying meat despite knowing it lacked invoices, proof of origin, and veterinary inspection stamps.

The meat also bore suspected signs of electric shocks and was sold at prices below market rates.

Transaction records showed that the four buyers transferred more than VND860 million (US$33,300) to Van for an estimated 10 tonnes of dog meat.

During questioning, all four admitted knowing that the meat came from stolen dogs but continued buying it for resale and profit, according to investigators.

Among them, Tho, who operated the Luat Tho dog meat restaurant in Ninh Binh Province, admitted spending VND153 million ($5,900) on meat she knew had been stolen.

She acknowledged that her purchases had helped sustain the theft ring and expressed regret, urging others not to trade in dog meat of unknown origin.

Similarly, Thinh, who ran a dog meat business in Hung Yen Province, admitted spending approximately VND300 million ($11,600) on stolen meat.

He also expressed remorse, acknowledging that his business had directly supported the theft operation.

HCMC police widen crackdown to buyers of stolen pets

The arrests come amid a broader campaign by Ho Chi Minh City police to dismantle organized pet theft networks and the businesses that purchase stolen animals.

According to figures released on October 20, police had handled 26 pet theft cases involving 54 suspects since the beginning of 2026, including the theft of dogs, cats, ornamental birds, and turtles.

Of these, 13 cases involving 33 suspects had resulted in criminal proceedings on theft charges.

Authorities have increasingly pursued not only those directly stealing pets but also the organizers, collectors, and buyers who help sustain the illegal trade.

Investigations have uncovered sophisticated networks operating across provincial boundaries, with suspects using homemade electric stun devices, vehicles bearing fake license plates, and designated operating areas to steal animals.

HCMC police said they would continue intensifying patrols, investigating theft reports, and pursuing the networks behind stolen pets, including those who collect and sell the animals.

Authorities emphasized that while pets may have relatively modest monetary value, their emotional importance to owners often goes far beyond their market price.