ALDIE, Va. — A cow from Aldie, Virginia was illegally slaughtered and found in the owner's pasture, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. The cow was identified by its ear tag.
Officers are looking for whoever illegally killed the cow.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's office said the cow was killed between 10 p.m. Dec. 21 and 6 a.m. Dec. 22 in the area of Howsers Branch Road in Aldie, Virginia. The cow was discovered slaughtered in the owner's pasture, and was identified by an ear tag, the sheriff's office said.
But the cow wasn't just killed. Officers said they got to the pasture to find the cow missing its right front leg, both back legs from the hip joints and a strip of back muscle. Police also found an opening on the cow's right shoulder, "consistent with injury from a crossbow-type firearm."
Officers are processing evidence from the scene and Loudoun County Animal Services is helping the sheriff's office with the investigation.
Officials said this could lead to charges of animal cruelty, trespassing and larceny. Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call (703) 777-0406.
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