The corpses were going to be destined for traditional medicine remedies. In Vietnam there is a belief that the extract of the bones of these animals cure diseases such as asthma. The almost four tons of dead cats did not have health certificates or documents proving their origin.
In some cultures, felines are considered sacred and in others they may be used for food or for other purposes. The latter was the case Vietnamwhere the local police found near 2,000 dead cats that they were going to be busy for traditional medicine.
The unusual discovery was made this week in the south of the Asian country, in a slaughterhouse located in the province of Dong Thap. Along with the thousands of corpses, the authorities also found 480 live cats.
according to the chain France 24there is a belief that the bone extracts of these animals have the property of curing diseases as complex as osteoporosis and the asma.
2,000 dead cats discovered in Vietnam
At the time of the inspection, the slaughterhouse did not present any document that would prove the health or the origin of the more than four tons of dead cats kept in a cold room.
In accordance with The vanguardthe corpses would be transferred to the north of the country to be used in traditional medicine remedies.
The local authorities will eliminate the 2,000 corpses as they are not suitable for human consumption. Meanwhile, the nearly 500 living cats will be transferred to a farm temporarily.
It is worth mentioning that in Vietnam, the consumption of cats and dogs is completely legal and even their meat is served in various restaurants, but always complying with sanitary regulations.
Likewise, traditional Asian medicine has become one of the areas that most promotes the illegal trade of species. It is estimated that more than one million cats are victims of this industry in Vietnam, the NGO stated. Four Paws International.