More mutilated animals found in Northern California

SACRAMENTO — More mutilated animals were found Wednesday in California's capital city, the third discovery in as many days.

The latest discovery was made by a Sacramento Bee reporter who was investigating the killings when he found a bag of decapitated chickens along railroad tracks.

On Tuesday night, authorities reported finding two bags containing dead animals also beside railroad tracks in Midtown Sacramento.

One bag contained a beheaded rabbit with several candles. A second bag held at least two decapitated chickens with their feet cut off.

Gina Knepp, head of Sacramento's Front Street Animal Shelter, said authorities are investigating whether at least some of the killings may be tied to religious rites that sacrifice animals.

"The most recent case I will say involves what appears to be some type of ritual, who knows what kind of practice," she told the Sacramento Bee, referring to the Tuesday night case in which the chickens had their feet cut off and stuffed into their bodies.

She added, others cases may be simply a case of copycats following the growing news coverage of the incidents.

Two decapitated chickens were found in a box along a bike trail near the Sacramento River on Monday. Inside the box were also five blood-soaked $1 bills.

There have been at least nine separate discoveries of decapitated goats, sheep and chickens and other animals since the start of the year at various locations in Sacramento.

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Information from: KXTV-TV.