Source: El Heraldo de Chihuahua
Date: 02.27.11

** Three attacks in one week in Chihuahua, Mexico**

The first incident was recorded in the early hours of 16 February with 12 dead sheep and others with severe wounds.

The affected party stated that his animals were in a pen with a two meter tall fence, which natural predators are unable to penetrate. Even so, the strange animal entered and attacked the sheep without eating them, relieving them of their blood and leaving marks suggesting a jaw that can open up to 20 centimeters. There were also scratches and puncture marks from long fangs in evidence. Lambs had their heads crushed.

The second attack occurred during the first hours of Monday, 21 February on the property of Mr. Roberto Villalobos, with 20 dead sheep.

The third attack took place again on Mr. Villalobos’s property.

“The custodian saw what was happening and unleashed a Great Dane to fight the animal, which he was able to see in the shadows. But the dog fled after receiving a push from the assailant,” said a startled Roberto Villalobos.

Local residents are fearful of going out in the evening, saying that for a week now they have been victimized by attacks from an unknown animal whose prints they are unable to recognize.

The place where the events occurred is Estación de Terrazas, a rural areal located 40 km from Chihuahua’s state capital.

DATES OF THE ATTACKS:

Wednesday, 16 February – 12 dead sheep, 10 wounded
Monday, 21 February – 20 dead sheep, 25 injured
Friday, 25 February – 15 dead sheep

[Note from Prof. Ana Luisa Cid: “It should be noted that similar attacks were also reported in Tapachula, Chiapas (southeastern Mexico) on 22 February”]

(Translation (c) 2011, S. Corrales, IHU. Special thanks to Ana Luisa Cid, www.analuisacid.com)