Goat Found Decapitated Along LIE Signals Beginning Of 'Gruesome' Springtime Discoveries, SPCA Chief Says

MEDFORD, NY — The discovery of a dead baby goat, believed to be ritualistically decapitated, found in the woods near an underpass along the overpass of the Long Island Expressway in the Medford area, is the start of a season with similar occurrences, Suffolk Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Chief Roy Gross says.

The headless goat, white, under a month old, and weighing about eight pounds, was found late Sunday night by a good Samaritan who notified the authorities.

The motorist who found the animal told Patch that they thought it was a dog at first, and brought it to a local veterinary hospital that has evening hours.

Gross believes the animal was killed as part of a religious sacrifice.

He says the practice is allowed if the animal is killed humanely, and consumed, however, it was not the case with Sunday's find.

"It's starting up again," said Gross, who has been trained in identifying ritualistic animal killings, and announced the discovery on Thursday morning. "I mean, this is the season, in the spring, where this starts.”

Investigators are continuing to investigate the incident, and it is unknown if the animal was killed there or somewhere else and dumped, he said, adding that the area is still being canvassed.

Dead animals believed to have been used in religious sacrifice are also found all year round, but spring is most common, according to Gross.

It is not uncommon to find candles in a circular fashion, money, pottery, offerings of fruits and vegetables, different color cloths, he said, adding, “There's all the different gods that they're making these offerings to.”

Last year, in two different cemeteries in Middle Island, remains of dead animals were found right up against the headstones with candles.

Gross has seen “a lot” in the desolate areas of Manorville, and in Smithtown, decapitated chickens were found near a popular lake, where people walk around the trails, he said.

About half a dozen goat heads were found once off a roadway in Smithtown, according to Gross.

“That happened more than once,” Gross said. “The person who reported it said, ‘No, I saw this once before.’ They didn't say anything, and now I see it again.”

Gross said some of the animals were killed with dull instruments, which would prolong the pain.

“Yeah, this is what we have here,” he said. “This is what goes on. It's unfortunate.”

In another instance, investigators found a cow’s tongue nailed to a tree, and inside, was the names of nine people.

The message was, “If you wag your tongue, we will kill you,’” Gross said.

He says residents might wonder why people do this.

“It's basically an offering to the gods for protection or for healing, if somebody is sick or protection, if they're going to commit a crime, and they're offering to the gods to protect them not getting caught,” he said. “It could be a number of different things, but it is not a religious right.”

Investigators have described Sunday’s find as a "particularly gruesome, intentional act of cruelty."

Gross described the discovery as "a shocking and deeply troubling" and urged anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area or who has any information to come forward.

"The public’s assistance is critical in helping us bring those responsible to justice," he said.

The SPCA is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. The New York State Humane Association has also added $1,000 to the pot.

The $4,000 reward is for anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction.

He could not be sure how the person or persons would be charged because it depends on whether the animal was a companion animal or a farm animal.

If it's a companion animal, it's a felony," he said. "If it's a farm animal, and it's not a companion animal, they'd be facing misdemeanor charges.

"A felony conviction would result in two years in jail, while a misdemeanor could include jail and fines.

"This goes back centuries, these animal sacrifices, and it's just not acceptable," he said, adding that he disagrees that it is part of a religious right.

"It's not a religious right not to torture an animal like this," he said.

He went on to say that the killing was not conducted in a humane manner, and that the animal, "a little baby goat," was "tortured and killed."

Anyone with information relating to the decapitated goat, and any other information about ritualistic acts of animal cruelty, is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631 382-7722.

All calls will be kept confidential.