Official Livestock Tags Illegally Altered
According to local media reports, the key evidence in the case—four missing heifers—was eventually found on a local country road. Investigators at the scene confirmed that the animals’ original, legally required ear tags (crotales) had been forcibly removed and replaced with the brand of the suspect’s ranch. This crucial detail elevates the case from a simple matter of lost livestock to one of deliberate theft.
Suspect’s Alibi Questioned by Authorities
During the initial investigation, the suspect claimed to police that he had found the ‘unowned’ cattle by chance in the wilderness and subsequently took them to his own ranch. However, the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) is highly skeptical of this explanation. Police noted that there were no signs of forced entry or damage to the plaintiff’s farm fences, making it highly unlikely the cattle could have escaped on their own. Authorities currently believe the suspect’s actions constitute malicious tampering with livestock identification and misappropriation of private property.
Property Crime Reveals Personal Drama
Beyond the financial and property dispute, the case is entangled in complex personal drama. According to some informed villagers in El Ronquillo, the plaintiff’s wife had already left home before the incident and is currently living with the suspect, which has further intensified the conflict between the two men.
When questioned by the media, the accused rancher denied all allegations of cattle theft, stating that the matter has been handed over to his lawyer and insisting he does not know the plaintiff. However, when reporters tried to verify the rumors about him living with the plaintiff’s wife, the man refused to comment and abruptly hung up the phone. The Spanish Civil Guard is now conducting a thorough and in-depth investigation into this complex case, which intertwines property crime with a personal feud.
