Police in central Vietnam have charged three men with theft for stealing more than 100 dogs, a police official said Monday.
The men were caught in the act of stealing dogs in Nghe An province on the night of June 13.
They admitted having stolen dogs on dozens of occasions since the end of last year, to sell for about $35 each.
Dog meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam. Restaurants specialising in barbecued dog are popular at the end of each lunar month, when people believe eating the meat will bring them good luck.
Earlier this month, police arrested six men on suspicion of stealing as many as 4 000 cats over two years to sell for their meat.
Local media have reported several cases of dog thieves attacking villagers who were trying to prevent their pets from being taken and sold to restaurants. One government official was killed while chasing thieves last year.
If found guilty, three men could be sentenced up to three years in prison.
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