By Euronews
Published on
Police suspect the attacks could be part of 'ritual' because the animals are slashed and often their ear and genitals are removed
French authorities are investigating a series of horrific horse killings across the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Police are puzzled by the macabre attacks that include slashings and worse.
Most often, an ear — usually the right one — has been cut off. And sometimes the animal's genitals are removed.
There are several theories as to whether the mutilations are a morbid rite of an unknown cult, a chilling “challenge” relayed by social media or copycat acts.
So far, there have been more than 30 cases this year from the mountainous Jura region in the east to France's Atlantic coast.
For more on this story, take a look at the video in the player, above.