Dead pig, chickens dumped along busy Florida street may be ritual sacrifice, cops say

A pile of dead animals found in Cape Coral, Florida, is suspected to be the result of a ritual sacrifice that was dumped behind a community’s decorative signage.

The carcasses, which included a pig and chickens, were found June 7 in a trash bag “behind the Emerald Cove community sign,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Cape Coral is about 130 miles southeast of Tampa.

Cape Coral police investigators say the discovery “appears to be an act of Santeria,” a religious sect with ties to Cuba.

Santeria followers are known to practice ritual animal sacrifice, which is permitted under Florida Statutes “to protect freedom of religion.”

However, the slaughtering must be handled quickly and humanely, and there are strict guidelines for disposal of the dead animals — something that was not done in this case.

“A person should dispose of an animal carcass by burning or burying it at least two feet below ground,” according to information provided by the Cape Coral Police Department.

“The ‘dumping’ of an animal carcass on any public road or right-of-way” is considered a second-degree misdemeanor, police said.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reports Santeria is a widely practiced Cuban religion steeped in an African traditions.

“Santería is a syncretic religion based significantly in the traditions of the Yoruba and incorporating elements of Catholicism. Today, roughly 70 percent of Cubans observe one or more Santeria or other religious practices based in an African tradition,” according to the commission.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating the case. “The FWC takes these reports very seriously and encourages the public to report any sightings or any information regarding this incident to the FWC,” the department told McClatchy News.

Neighbors in Emerald Cove were appalled at the discovery, noting the carcasses smelled horribly, requiring passersby to wear a mask, according to WBBH.

All the chickens had been beheaded, the station reported.

This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Dead pig, chickens dumped along busy Florida street may be ritual sacrifice, cops say."