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1M aa ' ¥ i ohey Lae a, OE Dyfi neat MUTILATION OF ANIMALS ON INDIAN LANDS IN NEW MEXICO TAFOYA, Chief of Police, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, disclosed similar information, i.e. the reports of unexplained dead animals were in 1978, and although they were surrounded by suspicious circum- stances, there was no evidence to positively determine that the animals had been mutilated. In neither case had evidence been preserved for examination, nor were there any complete reports of investigation done regarding the deaths. The Albuquerque FBI Office has discussed the possibility of animal mutilations with law enforcement officers in New Mexico, including MEL SEDILLO, JR., Investigator, New Mexico Livestock Board, Albuquerque, New Nexico, who has examined numerous animals which had been reported as being mutilated. Investigator SEDILLO said that in each instance his examination showed that the animais had been attacked by predators. ‘Since the conference of April 20, 1979, the Albuquerque FBI Office has received a voluminous amount of correspondence a ee ao +d ha kh from interested parties who have expounded their theories rega this subject. Copies of this information have been furnished t KENNETH M. ROMMEL for his assistance. aiacdc Bsn .*] On January 15, 19809, KENNETH M. RONMEL advised his office has pursved numerous investigative leads regarding the possible mutilation of animals in New Mexico. He said that to date, his “investigative unit has determined that none of the reported cases has involved what appear to be mutilations by other than common predators. ROMMEL said he has travelled to other states and con- ferred with investigators in those areas regarding mutilations, and to date has received no information which would justify the belief that any animals have been intentionally mutilated by human beings. ROMMEL added that regarding all the dead animals he has examined, the damage to the carcasses has always been con- sistent with predator action. The Albuquerque FBI Office has alerted law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over Indian lands in New Mexico concerning the March 6, 1879, authorization for the Albuquerque FBI Office to investigate the mutilations of animals on Indian lands in New Mexico. These law enforcement officials have advised that they would immediately notify the Albuquerque FBI Office in the event there are any new occurrences of suspected animal mutilations on Indian lands, ‘On January 15, 1980, this matter was discussed with Assistant vu. Ss. Attorney RICHARD J. SMITH, U.S. Attorney's Office, Albuquerque. Assistant U. 5S. Attorney SMITH said that in his opinion there is no Federal interest in continuing an investi- gation in this matter in the absence of further reports of acts of -2.