Chickens, Pig Found Slaughtered on New Jersey Beach Likely Used in Santeria Ritual: Official

The chickens were decapitated and the pig's throat was slit, an official said

Authorities suspect three chickens and a pig were slaughtered on a New Jersey beach as part of a religious sacrifice.

The remains of the animals were discovered on a beach in Hazlet on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief Victor "Buddy" Amato tells the Asbury Park Press the chickens were decapitated and the 60-pound pig's throat was slit.

Amato suspects they were used as part of a Santeria ritual. Santeria is a fusion of religious beliefs that originated in West Africa and the Caribbean.

Amato is treating it as a case of animal cruelty. He says it's one thing to slaughter an animal to eat and another to leave it to rot on a beach.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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