Overview

• Prosecutors in Le Havre have placed a man in his twenties in provisional detention, charging him with seven counts of severe animal cruelty and illegal possession of Category D weapons.
• The attacks on June 26–27 and July 31–August 1 in Saint-Martin-du-Manoir involved gouged eyes, deep lacerations and fractures inflicted on multiple horses.
• Human blood found at the latest crime scene led to a DNA match and searches uncovered a blood-stained cutter, hammer and reddish-stained clothing.
• The suspect admitted being present at two of the seven incidents but denies other involvements, and a second psychiatric evaluation has been ordered after an initial assessment found no discernible mental impairment.
• He is due to stand trial on September 26 in Le Havre and faces up to five years in prison if convicted.