Ritualistic Animal Sacrifice Under Investigation
Man calls PSPCA for help after discovering gruesome scene
NBCPhiladelphia.com
Three chickens and a cat were also among the dead found in Tacony Creek Park.
The Pennsylvania SPCA is investigating a possible case of animal sacrifice in an Olney park.
Bill Martin was walking his dog along the 5100 block of Bingham Street near Tacony Creek Park Friday morning when he discovered several dead and dismembered animals.
"I saw blood and a couple of pieces laying around," Martin said.
Those pieces turned out to be the bodies of a dog, cat and three chickens. All had been decapitated in a fashion that is "typical of a ritualistic sacrifice," PSPCA officials said.
"Usually, it's goats, chickens…to find dogs and cats, that's a little rare," PSPCA spokesperson George Bengal said.
But Martin says he's seen other dismembered animals in the same location before Friday's discovery – both domestic and wild.
"I saw a cat laying in the high weeds and it was all cut open from the bottom of its throat to its groin area… I saw a deer all dismembered," Martin described as he pointed towards their resting place in the park.
The agency is investigating the case, but they say there usually is an uptick in crimes like these during the fall season.
If caught, those responsible could face animal cruelty charges.
Posted Friday, Nov 13, 2009 - 10:40 PM EST
