FORT WADSWORTH, N.Y. (WPIX)—
The discovery of two mutilated animals in a Fort Wadsworth park in the past two days, has left many residents scratching their heads.City Parks Department officials confirmed Wednesday that a mutilated, four-legged animal was first found Tuesday morning in Von Briesen Park. A day later, another animal's carcass was discovered in the same park. In both cases, the animals were wrapped in a clean white sheet and some of their organs were said to be missing.
The animals, believed to be goats, were removed immediately and the incident was reported to the New York City Police Department, a city Parks Department spokesperson told PIX News.
Many have linked the incident to the religious traditions of Santeria, which involves a variety of practices including animal sacrifice. The religion, which widely practiced throughout the world, has nearly 30,000 followers in the U.S. alone.
Police have yet to detemine whether Santeria was involved in the animal slayings.
Meanwhile, the city Parks Department said that those responsible are breaking the law, and are asking the public to report any suspicious activity they may see.
"It is illegal to kill or harm animals in parks. If you see this activity in Parks, please call 911," the department said in a statement to PIX News. "To report conditions in parks, including the findings of animal remains, please call 311."
PIX News has learned that since making the gory discovery, Parks Enforcement Patrol officers will be doing additional checks around the parks to prevent future incidents from occurring.
