Dogs seized from three illegal trading hubs. — VNA/VNS Photo Trịnh Duy Hưng

THANH HOÁ — Thanh Hoá Province Police on Tuesday started legal proceedings against 16 defendants charged with being part of the largest illegal dog-theft ring in the province.

Since the beginning of this year, the gang has stolen dogs weighing a total of more than 100 tonnes from districts Thọ Xuân, Triệu Sơn, Quảng Xương, and from Sầm Sơn City and Thanh Hóa City.

On September 15, police raided three dog trading hubs operated by Lê Thị Phượng, 34, from Thọ Xuân District, and Bùi Ngọc Dương, 35, and Nguyễn Như Tuấn, 37, both from Sầm Sơn City.

Law enforcement seized 51 dogs weighing a total of 650kg, 10 electric stimulators, two stun guns, eight bottles of chilli powder, 20 motorbikes, 31 mobile phones, an assorted amount of swords and knives and cash worth VNĐ50 million (US$2,150).

Thirty other suspects were also summoned. The police started legal proceedings against 16 defendants and issued a wanted notice for one alleged thief who fled his residence.

According to the initial investigation, Phượng, Dương and Tuấn formed a number of gangs to steal dogs which were then taken to their respective houses for selling.

To steal the dogs, two men rode on a motorbike and used stun guns, electric stimulators and bait. The chili powder and other items were used to fight people and law enforcement forces who chased them.

The police are expanding the case and looking for other persons of interests. —  VNS