The X-Report: The FBI’s role in investigating cattle mutilations
By Easton Martin | October 16, 2025
In the mid-1970s, a series of unsettling cattle mutilations spread across the western United States, sparking fear and speculation among ranchers and the public. Livestock were found dead under mysterious circumstances, with organs removed with surgical precision, blood drained, and no signs of struggle. The bizarre nature of these incidents led to widespread theories ranging from extraterrestrial activity to secret government experiments.
The phenomenon began attracting attention in the late 1960s, with one of the earliest widely reported cases occurring in Colorado in 1967. A horse named Lady was discovered mutilated, with its organs removed and blood drained. This case, known as the Snippy the Horse incident, generated national media coverage and public alarm. Over the following decade, similar incidents were reported in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, and other western states. By 1975, Colorado Senator Floyd K. Haskell pressed the FBI to provide federal assistance, citing more than 130 cases in his state alone. The Bureau’s involvement was limited by jurisdiction, but it agreed to monitor the situation, particularly when incidents occurred on Native American lands.
The FBI’s role primarily consisted of collecting press clippings, correspondence, and reports from local law enforcement. While the agency did not conduct active field investigations, it maintained files on the phenomenon and responded to public inquiries. In 1979, a federally funded investigation led by former FBI agent Kenneth Rommel examined cattle mutilations in New Mexico. The resulting report concluded that while some cases could be explained by predators or natural causes, a number remained unexplained. The investigation found no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial involvement or cult activity, leaving many questions unresolved.
Despite decades of study, the cattle mutilation mystery persists. In recent years, similar incidents have been reported in states such as Oregon and Texas. In 2023, seven cattle were discovered mutilated in east-central Texas, with tongues removed and no blood at the scene. These modern cases have reignited public interest and speculation. Law enforcement agencies generally attribute such incidents to natural causes, including predation or scavenging, though many ranchers remain unconvinced and continue to report strange occurrences.
The enduring fascination with cattle mutilations highlights the challenge authorities face when investigating incidents that walk the line between the natural and the unexplained. While some cases have plausible explanations, many cattle mutilations are cases with no blood, no clear evidence of human activity, and no evidence of predators. It is these cases which continue to baffle researchers.
