“Black Magic” Eyed in Dead Animal Discovery in Westchester: SPCA

Officials are also investigating another set of decapitated animals found in plastic bags

Police and SPCA in Westchester, New York, say they're investigating two more sets of animal remains found in the area, one in which a dead bird was wrapped in cloth alongside some strange symbols, and another in which decapitated animals were found in a plastic bag.

The SPCA says they've called in an occult specialist to assist in their investigation into the black bird discovery on July 21.

In that case, the bird was found wrapped in three layers of red, black and white cloth in Wilson Woods in Mount Vernon, SPCA officials said. Written symbols found with the dead bird were identified as belonging to a "black magic cult," according to an occult specialist working with police. 

The specialist, Marcos Quinones, said it appears whoever left the bird in the woods performed a palo mayombe ritual in which "black magic is conducted to produce a desired effect on a person or a group of people." 

Quinones has worked with over 200 law enforcement groups in similar investigations, according to the SPCA. 

On Tuesday, New Rochelle police's harbor unit discovered a black plastic bag in the Long Island Sound containing a decapitated goat and five decapitated chickens. The bag also contained money, food and a blue T-shirt. 

That discovery comes days after officials found another decapitated goat and other animal remains in plastic bags near Underhill Avenue in Yorktown near the New Croton Reservoir on Aug. 25. 

The SPCA is investigating all the incidents to see if there was any animal cruelty involved.

"The last three and a half years, we haven't had any reports of any sacrificed animals, and then in a very short period of time, we have three separate incidents," said Ernest Lungaro of the Westchester SPCA.

"That's just what's been reported to us. We believe there's probably more incidents," he said.

They're also continuing to work with the Yonkers Police in the investigation into the violent killings of 25 cats found hanging from a tree in April. 

-- Checkey Beckford contributed to this report.

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