Baby goat’s head chopped off in sick sacrifice as Long Island activists offer cash reward
A newborn goat that had been beheaded was discovered discarded along a highway in Long Island, prompting outrage and a reward for information that could help authorities find those responsible.
The animal was located on March 15 near an overpass along the Long Island Expressway in Bellport. Investigators believe the killing may have been connected to a ritual sacrifice associated with certain practices such as Santeria, Palo, or Haitian voodoo.
Animal welfare groups have combined efforts to offer a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. The Suffolk County SPCA contributed $3,000 toward the reward, while the New York State Humane Association and Humane Long Island each added $1,000.
Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, described the case as deeply disturbing and condemned the act as severe cruelty toward an innocent animal. He said the goat, which was less than a month old and weighed about eight pounds, had been killed with what appeared to be a very sharp instrument.
Gross, who said he has investigated many ritual animal sacrifice cases across Long Island during more than two decades of work, called this incident especially brutal because of the animal’s young age.
Authorities believe the killing likely occurred somewhere else and that the remains were later dumped near the highway, since investigators found no signs that the sacrifice took place at the location where the body was discovered. A passing driver noticed the remains and contacted police.
According to investigators, anyone responsible for the act could face felony animal cruelty charges and possible jail time.
Officials are asking anyone with information about the case or other suspected ritualistic animal cruelty to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
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