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Police in eastern France have arrested a man in connection with the mutilation of two horses.

The 50-year-old, who was arrested on Monday in the Haut-Rhin department, is suspected of having attacked two horses in the Yonne at the end of August, Le Parisien reports. Officers are also reportedly searching a property he owns.

The arrest followed an incident in Villefranche-Saint-Phal last month, in which two ponies were attacked at an animal refuge, and the owner threatened with a pruning knife after discovering two people on the property.

As reported, there have been about 30 attacks on horses this year alone across the whole of France. The arrest, on Monday, was the first in connection with the incidents.

Read more: French police release sketch of horse attack suspect

Officials connected to the case said the arrested man was known to police, and had no connection to the equestrian world in France.

Police have previously warned horse owners not to take matters into their own hands, and have said the crimes are the work of 'more than one perpetrator'.

Read more: Map: More horse attacks in France, see areas targeted