Chennai: Police have rescued a dozen cats that would have been butchered for biryani meat served by eateries in Tirumullaivoyal, according to a news report.
The cats were recovered on Friday after the police conducted a week-long investigation in various localities in the city, according to The Times of India.
"Most of these pets are trapped by narikuravas (gypsies) for their meat that is sold to roadside eateries. This has been happening for at least two decades now," People for Animals (PfA) co-founder Shiranee Pereira alleged.
The case was uncovered after several residents of Balaji Nagar in Royapettah reported that their pet cats went missing around Pongal.
"The day after Pongal, my cat went out. It has been un-traceable since," said M Hema, a resident.
The string of missing cat incidents forced animal activists and pet owners to file a complaint with city police commissioner A K Viswanathan last month.
Undercover policemen then approached several suspects under the pretext of being prospective cat meat buyers.
"However, getting information from them was not that easy said the officer as the meat is not sold to everyone and strangers asking for cat meat are usually not entertained," a senior police officer said.
The team was later able to trace a group of gypsies in Tirumullaivoyal. Police found in their possession a dozen cats kept in gunny bags. Three other cats were found dead packed in another bag. The suspects were given a warning.
The rescued cats have reportedly been taken to the PfA shelter in Sengundram for rehabilitation.
