RISPCA investigating apparent ritual sacrifices; dead chicken in dress, cow leg nailed to tree

Some of these details may be disturbing to some viewers.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – It’s what investigators are calling a bizarre and extremely concerning crime.

The discovery of decapitated chickens in apparent cultural or religious sacrificial sites across Rhode Island. One of the dead chickens was found wearing a women’s dress.

“We’ve never seen anything like this” explained Earl Newman RISPCA Special Agent. Newman says he was first assigned this case about two years ago when officials got word of a site in Warwick.

Since then nearly a dozen sites with about 40 dead chickens have been found in cities and towns across the state- from North Kingstown to Cumberland.

RISPCA says they have been in touch with a special agent from New York City Police Department, who specializes in ritual sacrifices. Due to the bizarre circumstances of these sites in Rhode Island

Newman explains what some of the various sites look like when officials arrive on scene. “We’ve found some other material in the vicinity, grain and some colored cloth, that may signify some sort of religious practice.”

On Thursday, investigators receiving a new tip that led them to an undisclosed location, where they found what appears to be a cow leg nailed to a tree, with candles surrounding it. Before Thursday, these sites have only had chickens or small birds.

RISPCA Special Agent Officials say it is important to note the slaughtered animals are not consistent with what is protected under the United States Law of Humane Slaughtering, for various religious or cultural rituals. Therefore, this is a federal crime.

The Humane Society of the United States has offered a $5,000 reward to anyone who has information that could lead officials to the person or persons responsible for these crimes.

This is a developing story, check back for details.