Dr. Katherine Polak, Head of Stray Animal Care Southeast Asia for FOUR PAWS

The dog meat trade is big business in Vietnam and threatens the lives of millions of dogs every year, many of them pets. Every day, pets are violently snatched off the streets, from yards, and even while out on a walk with their owners. These unlucky dogs make a brutal journey to slaughterhouses, markets, and restaurants, where a gruesome death awaits them. But times are changing, and the brutality and illegality of pet theft is no longer being tolerated by Vietnamese authorities.

In a landmark case, police in Thanh Hoa Province received a tip off regarding a gang of dog thieves believed to have stolen thousands of dogs since the beginning of the year. On September 15, 2019 the police successfully carried out the largest ever bust of a dog theft ring in Vietnam, resulting in the seizure of 51 dogs. According to the police, the gang carried stun guns and other sharp weapons, and rode motorbikes through residential areas late at night shooting dogs roaming outside. Police arrested a total of 16 suspected gang members and questioned more than 40 suspects. The gang not only brutalized neighborhood dogs, but also caused outrage among local people, particularly pet owners.

Following the interception, Police struggled to properly care for the confiscated dogs given their limited capacity for animal care, so the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA), of which FOUR PAWS is a member, stepped in to offer assistance. There were 13 dogs in need of immediate medical care due to severe wounds sustained during capture. Dogs with painful open wounds were anaesthetised, treated, provided pain medication and antibiotics, and housed in a temporary shelter for ongoing treatment.

The Asia Canine Protection Alliance is an international alliance of four animal protection organizations committed to ending the illegal trade of dogs in Vietnam: FOUR PAWS, Animals Asia, Humane Society International, and Change for Animals Foundation. ACPA is working to build collaborative relationships with the governments throughout Southeast Asia where the dog meat trade is prevalent, and has already secured a moratorium on the trade in dogs between Thailand and Vietnam.

Following the confiscation, the police publicised the bust throughout the province using local media so that stolen dogs could be reunited with their families.

Over the course of 2 weeks, all 51 dogs were successful reunited with their owners, who were devastated by their pets’ disappearance.

This bust pets a major precedent as dog theft is rarely treated as a criminal offense in Vietnam unless the canines are valued at more than VND2 million ($86).

“These arrests will hopefully go a long way in deterring future dog theft in Thanh Hoa Province, and potentially throughout all of Vietnam. While the dog meat trade is often defended as ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’, the reality is that there are significant health and societal impacts associated with the trade and these are becoming of ever-growing concern within Vietnam and internationally.”

Earlier in the week, the Food Safety Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City urged locals to stop eating dog meat in an effort to improve Vietnam’s national image with tourists. They also warned the local community of the health risks posed by consuming the unregulated meat. This followed a similar call by the Hanoi People’s Committee last year.

In addition to membership in ACPA, FOUR PAWS also runs a ‘Cats Matter Too program‘ in Central Vietnam with local charities PAWS for Compassion and Vietnam Cat Welfare to improve veterinary training, animal welfare education, and provide free spay/neuter services.

Man Is So Moved By Viral Video Of Dog Being Dumped That He Goes Looking And Saves Him

Thanks to a man who saw a video of the incident that went viral, a dog who was shockingly dumped by the side of the road has a happy ending. A bicyclist in Itabira, Brazil, saw someone in a vehicle leave a small brown and white dog by the roadside a few weeks ago.

Because she couldn’t take the dog with her, the girl who filmed it went home to get her car, but when she returned to the scene, she couldn’t find the dog. She looked for several days in the area but came up empty-handed. She then shared the video on social media with the caption, “I can’t stop thinking about the dog.” “I’m not sure if he’s all right.”

Many people agreed with her, including a man who lived near where the dog was abandoned. He was moved by the dog’s plight and went in search of him. The Good Samaritan searched for the lost dog for two days straight!

Despite the fact that he was contacted by Defato Online, the Good Samaritan preferred to remain anonymous about his good deed. A video shared on WhatsApp, on the other hand, shows the happy rescued dog playing with a family in what appears to be a backyard.

“So people, this here is the dog we rescued that is causing a lot of controversy here in Itabira,” the narrator says in the video. We were moved by the story and decided to pursue him. He’s now being looked after. He’s here with us, with food and everything he requires.” With the exception of a name, that is.

People are now being asked to help the family name the dog, according to the news outlet. Is Pietro, Einstein, or Xerebebeu the best choice? According to polls, the name ‘Pietro’ is the most popular.

Thanks to the witness and the man who refused to give up on the dog, what began as a sad story now has a happy ending. Share this touching dog rescue story with your friends and family!

Mom In Tears After The Shelter Dog She Just Adopted Shows How Grateful He Is On The Way Home

Dogs enjoy being adopted! Mother Nature is to blame because nobody wants to live without friends or family. In the aforementioned video, the dog thanks his savior.