By John Elizondo
CENTERVILLE - Special Rangers of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are trying to find a lead as to who shot and killed three calves in rural Leon County.
According to officials, two of the calves were shot sometime between Friday evening and Monday morning on FM 831, two miles east of Highway 75. Another one was found shot in the head in the same area. Authorities believe the two shootings are connected.
Authorities think the suspects may have wanted to steal and butcher the animals for meat. One of the calves looked like it had been loaded into a truck and had fallen out. The calf may have been dragged off the roadway where it was partially butchered.
Officials say they received a few calls from people who noticed suspicious vehicles in the area. According to Special Ranger Brent Mast, this kind of crime represents a significant loss to the rancher.
"When you kill these cattle, calves or grown cows, you are basically stealing the rancher's profit or his money," Mast said.
Investigators have collected a few items from the scene that are currently being analyzed in a crime lab in Austin. If you have any information please contact the Leon County sheriff's office.
