Disturbing discovery of headless birds sparks investigation in Putnam County
Putnam County authorities looking for who's responsible for latest round of mutilated birds for new reservoir.
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The Putnam County SPCA is investigating yet another case of decapitated animals that might have been sacrificed.
The birds — two roosters and two doves — were found Sunday evening by the Sodom Reservoir off Milltown Road in Brewster.
Their heads were cut off and their blood was drained from their bodies.
Officials with the SPCA said Monday the bird mutilation might have been part of a ritual.
SPCA investigators said it seems the doves and roosters were killed and beheaded somewhere else before being placed by the water.
People who live and hike in the scenic area are appalled and curious.
"It weirded me out because around here, you don't have livestock," said Jessica Binns, of North Salem. "I didn't know if something had just died and someone just dumped it, but to hear there was mutilation involved is definitely disturbing."
Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Chief Ken Ross told News 12 his team dealt with four similar incidents last year and another last month: animals decapitated, blood drained and placed by a body of water.
In one case last year, he said a goat's head was found in a bag along with some coconuts and literature about animal sacrifice.
Past incidents are informing how Ross approaches this most recent one.
"We just don't have enough to point the finger and say that's exactly what this is," Ross said, "but appearances are that it was a ritualistic killing."
Ross said that since the animals are likely only left by the reservoir, not killed there, there is no crime scene.
He said that makes cases like this one difficult. He adds that he hopes someone who knows about the mutilations or someone with expertise in sacrifice rituals can help his team solve these cases.
Anyone with information that might be helpful to the investigations of any of the mutilation incidents is asked to call the Putnam County SPCA at 845-520-6915.
