This video is an example of what used to happen to dog thieves when caught by local residents. It’s vigilante mob justice, Vietnamese style. Years ago local justice used to be dished out to dog thieves until it escalated out of control with a horrifying outcome. The following information is IMPORTANT for people to understand about Vietnam:

Over a period of years tensions escalated to breaking point, between distraught animal lovers and vicious dog thieves. Animal lovers were savagely attacked, maimed and even killed dog thieves if you got in their way. Pet owners were brutally killed as they refused to let dog thieves steal their loved pet dog. Mob justice against dog thieves began to swell, as beatings against dog thieves was videoed and regularly posted on social media platforms. Many times even police stood back and allowed local justice to take place, as a clear message to dog thieves to stop.

At its worst, mob justice went completely out of control against captured dog thieves. Around 500+ local people took part in a brutal beating to death of captured dog thieves. This was mob justice gone crazy. Because the prolonged attack was videoed and posted on social media, police arrested a large number of people involved. From memory, hundreds of people pleaded guilty (even though they were not directly involved in the beatings.)

From memory police narrowed the number down (I think it was 15 people; but I would need to clarify that.) The animal lovers involved  were arrested on murder charges and sentenced to jail. The entire situation was incredibly sad and horrifying to see unfold. The dog thieves were killed and previously innocent animal lovers found themselves incarcerated on murder charges, as their distraught families wept. So many families were forever ruined.

This is one reason why vigilante justice is no longer videoed.

Some people on social media are quick to abuse Vietnamese animal lovers for not maiming or killing captured dog thieves. They have no idea what they’re talking about when they say things like this. They don’t live in Vietnam or understand Vietnamese culture. Vietnam’s dog and cat meat trade is the most violent of all of them anywhere. I regularly travel to Vietnam and work closely with our FDM Vietnamese team.

Vietnam is a complicated culture, with a war torn history of survival. Vietnamese people are warm and loving. And strong. But not everyone who smiles is your friend. Fight Dog Meat has worked in Vietnam for many years. Our FDM veterinary team are Vietnamese, headed by Dr. Nghia Ph.D. [who studied abroad for 10 years.] Our FDM animal rescue teams are Vietnamese. Our rehab expert Ali’s staff are Vietnamese. One of our FDM Board members is Vietnamese American. Fight Dog Meat is very invested in working in Vietnam and helping Vietnam’s animals.

Video: the video is years old. Viewer discretion advised. Maybe upsetting for some viewers. Both dog thieves  made a full recovery; however, the dog had already been killed by the two dog thieves.

Fight Dog Meat will continue to bring you reports from dog and cat meat countries and the wonderful work their rescuers are doing despite no animal protection laws. Turning away or sitting quietly does not end the trade. We’ll keep exposing what is taking place to these animals. We’re helping local volunteers have a louder voice on a world platform. Ultimately it’s the voice of the country’s own people whom their government will eventually be forced to listen to, for positive change for animals.

Thank you for reading,

Michele Brown
Founder,
Fight Dog Meat.

Due to Covid-19 flight cancellations Fight Dog Meat has a number of rescued meat dogs in hospital and in rehabilitation in Vietnam. Until international flights start up again we’re under great financial strain to maintain our rescued animals. FDM is still accepting critically injured meat dogs; if we don’t they will die! Many of our dogs have some of the worst injuries in the meat trade. Please consider helping us during this special time.