A note from the Central Territorial Intelligence Service, dated June 30, worries about eleven equid murders since December 2018. The animals are systematically found with a severed ear, and sometimes other mutilations. 

REPORTAGE

Is a horse killer gang raging in France? This is the question posed by a note from the Central Territorial Intelligence Service, dated June 30 last. Since December 2018, it has recorded at least 11 cases of equines found dead with a severed ear, in a dozen departments of France. The phenomenon seems to have increased since the beginning of the year, and the mystery is thickening. 

>> Find all of Europe 1's editorial newspapers in replay and podcast here

Animal ears, a "trophy" for killers? 

Several investigations were opened, without result. "It happened in the middle of the night, just over three weeks ago," said the owner of a donkey killed in Seine-Maritime at the microphone of Europe 1. "We found him with a severed ear, my eyes plucked. I wonder what could stop people doing this."

"Is it a challenge, a satanic rite, or is it sectarian?" Asks the owner. "We're looking, but we don't know exactly. I think it's a group, or even several groups. Or is it an internet challenge? Collecting the ear is what serves as a trophy and who proves to this famous group that they did it right? "

"I would say they are minimum 2-3 people"

Lady, Pauline's mare, also living in Seine-Maritime, was attacked in broad daylight. "For me, it's someone who knows horses, that's for sure," she said. "There was a case where a horse simply had the piercing carotid ... I would say that they are minimum 2-3 people, because to lay down a horse, considering the weight that that makes, a person alone could not not."

The trail of a very well-informed killer gang is privileged. What is their motive? the mystery remains.