(Photo/hsw.cn)

A DNA identification test was performed on a calf in Ningqiang County, northwestern China's Shaanxi province after a dispute over ownership of the calf arose.

According to local custom, cattle are kept on mountainous areas during spring and summer. A 1-year-old calf, apparently lost, was found by a man surnamed Wang when he brought the cattle back from the mountain last September. The next day, he heard that the calf had been taken by a man surnamed Gong who lived 20 kilometers away. After arriving at the latter's home, Wang recognized the calf and claimed that it was birthed by one of his cows. However, Gong insisted that the calf belonged to him.

Later, Wang reported the case to the village committee and local police, but was told that such cases could not be definitively solved. Wang therefore filed a lawsuit against Gong at a local court, requiring a DNA test to be performed on the calf.

According to the court, both Wang and Gong hoped to use the calf for breeding since it is a particularly strong specimen. Although the two men evaluated the calf at 3,000 RMB ($435), the price given by a vet was only one-third of their estimation. Even though the DNA test cost as much as 2,000 RMB, both nevertheless insisted that it be performed.

The test results showed that the calf belongs to the same maternal line as Wang's cow, settling the dispute once and for all in Wang's favor.