90 cats rescued near Thai border

Thai police have rescued about 90 famished cats that they believed were being sent to Vietnam where the animals are considered a delicacy.

Officers stopped a pickup truck at a checkpoint today and found six plastic cages full of cats in north-eastern Nakhon Phanom province. The driver was arrested and faces charges including animal cruelty and illegal transportation of animals.

The Thai driver told police he received 2,000 baht (€48) to drive the cats to the Mekong River, near the Thai-Laotian border.

Cat meat is offered in many restaurants in Vietnam. Dogs also have been smuggled there from Thailand for their meat.