PSPCA: Dog, cat, 3 chickens beheaded in sacrifice

Pennsylvania SPCA workers had the unwelcome task yesterday of sifting through the remains of five animals that apparently had been sacrificed, officials said.

A passer-by found the beheaded animals - a dog, a cat and three chickens - near a bike path on Bingham Street near Roosevelt Boulevard in Olney about 1 p.m., said George Bengal, the PSPCA's director of investigations.

"It looks like the act was done somewhere else, and the remains were left here in the park," Bengal said.

PSPCA officials often see a rise in animal sacrifices at this time of the year, Bengal noted, because it coincides with "a lot of high holidays that different groups celebrate."

But most sacrifices usually involve goats and chickens. "This is a little over the top with the dogs and cats," Bengal said. "The use of domestic animals is a bit bizarre."

Criminal charges could be filed against the person or people who beheaded the cat and dog, he said.

Investigators were performing a necropsy on both animals last night to determine if they had microchip implants, which are often used to identify pets.

"If they have [microchips], we should be able to trace it back to the owner," Bengal said.

Tipsters can contact the PSPCA at 215-426-6300.