HA TINH, Vietnam — Police in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Tinh have detained three men accused of carrying out organized dog thefts while armed with dangerous weapons. Authorities recovered six stolen dogs and multiple tools used in the crimes.
The suspects were identified as Tran Xuan Phu, 50, Nguyen The Hiep, 41, and Vo Nam Phuong, 38, all residents of Ha Tinh province. Police said the trio was arrested during an operation targeting livestock theft in the area.
Officers seized six dogs weighing a combined 78.5 kilograms, along with two motorbikes, a homemade electric stun gun, two knives, and pepper spray. Investigators said the group operated at night, traveling through villages and communes in search of dogs.
According to initial findings, Phu acted as the ringleader, planning the thefts, assigning roles, and handling the resale of the stolen animals. Phuong allegedly drove the motorbike and scouted locations, while Hiep used the stun gun to immobilize the dogs before they were restrained and transported.
Police said the suspects were prepared to use weapons to resist residents or law enforcement if confronted. All three men reportedly have prior criminal records related to theft, handling stolen property, and robbery.
Following the arrests, Ha Tinh police posted images and details of the recovered dogs on social media to help locate their owners. The announcement drew widespread public attention, with many online users calling for stricter punishment for organized livestock theft, a crime that has sparked growing concern in local communities.
