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In Newport Beach, California, police think two dead chickens that recently washed ashore are indications of a Santería religious ceremony. One of the chickens was missing its head. Local law enforcement recently responded to a call of “suspicious circumstances,” after animal control officers found two dead chickens.Both of the dead birds were wrapped in a cloth with candles. Police say they believe the chickens to be the latest incident of Santería animal sacrifices that have popped in the area recently.
Several months ago, authorities found a dismembered and beheaded goat and chicken that had washed ashore in a bag that also contained vegetables.
Further down the coast, a duck and chicken were found with their throats cut.
About a week before that, animal control responded to three dead rabbits and a container buried at a local park with dead chickens and a dark liquid with peppers scattered around it.
Authorities say they believe the dead animals are indicators of a religious faith called Santería, an Afro-Cuban religion that blends multiple gods from a 19th century African religion and Roman Catholicism’s saints.
Followers of Santería sacrifice animals to the gods for good luck and to ward off evil spirits.
The animal’s killings, if practiced according to state codes regarding animal slaughter, are legal and protected under freedom of religion, police said.
“If these events are occurring on our beach then we are concerned that they’re happening in a public area,” Sgt. Sailor told the Daily Pilot’s Joseph Serna. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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