Another incident of possible ritualistic animal slaughter in Riverhead

More decapitated animals have been found in Riverhead, the Suffolk County SPCA said in a press release this morning.

Two weeks after decapitated goats were discovered in a desolate area of the Otis Pike Preserve, three decapitated chickens were found in plastic bags on the railroad tracks near Hubbard Avenue, the SPCA said in a press release.

The chickens, with their decapitated heads, were found inside two plastic bags on the tracks about a mile east of Hubbard Avenue yesterday morning at about 10:30, Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk SPCA said. The incident is another possible ritualistic slaughter.

Southold Town Police said seven dead cats were found in a duffel bag on a beach in Orient last night.  The SPCA is investigating that incident, Gross said. He said he is not sure if the incident is related to the other killings.

“New York State law says an animal may be slaughtered if done humanely and only for consumption, Gross said. “Ujustifiably slaughtering an animal is a crime and this will not be tolerated,” he said. “This has been happening too often and is not the kind of thing we want our children to find,” Gross said.

Prior to the June 24 incident, dead roosters were found hanging in a tree in Islip, according to the SPCA.

The Suffolk SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for animal slaughter. The New York State Humane Association is also offering $1,000 reward, according to the SPCA.

Anyone with information can call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.