Tarragona farms have reported the theft of around 40 lambs, according to the Mossos d'Esquadra, with the cases coming just before Eid al-Adha. The Catalan police say the timing matches a rise in demand for lamb linked to the Islamic festival.
Police say they received three reports this month from farms in Ulldemolins, Bonastre and Vallclara. The largest case was in Vallclara, where thieves took nearly 30 sheep. Officers believe the thefts usually happen at night, with animals chosen for illegal sale to people or communities observing the festival.
The Mossos d'Esquadra say sheep and lamb thefts have increased across Catalonia, especially in farming areas in Lleida and northern Tarragona. Those areas have many farms specialising in sheep and lamb breeding, which makes them a target for seasonal crime of this kind.
Eid al-Adha follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its date changes each year. The article notes that in 2025 it was celebrated on 6 June, and that this year's late May start increased demand in the weeks before the festival. For more local coverage, see our news page.
In a separate case, Mossos d'Esquadra officers arrested a 45-year-old man in Les Borges Blanques this week. He is accused of stealing 28 lambs from a farm in Ontinyena, Huesca, and of taking the farm's van to transport them.
Police said they intercepted the vehicle in Les Garrigues' capital and believe both the van and the lambs were linked to the reported theft in Aragon. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and unauthorised use of a vehicle, and the investigation is continuing to establish whether he acted alone or with others.
