Six 'ringleaders' arrested

The animals were to be sold for their fur and meat, police in Liaoning Province said, as eating cats is culturally accepted in some parts of the country, and considered a delicacy in others.

Around 300 of the animals have already been returned to their homes after the major trafficking operation was foiled.

Having noticed a spike in cats going missing in Dalian City, some of the owners joined together to try and solve what was happening.

They discovered a group of men roaming the area at night, appearing to be searching for both wild and pet cats.

One night the followed the men back to their cat den.

They notified police, who stormed the lair and discovered over 1,000 cats in captivity.

Six people have been arrested. 

According to Sky News, the operation started at the beginning of the month.

(dailymail.co.uk)