In the parkland encircling Jamaica Bay in Queens, chickens, pigs, and rats are reportedly subjected to twisted religious rituals that result in their torture, mutilation, or death.
The cause of the depravity? A major rise in animal sacrifices.
At least nine wounded animals or carcasses have been discovered in the federally-managed Spring Creek Park in Howard Beach and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel in a little over a month. This includes five live piglets with partially severed ears.
Additional creatures that were recovered from the revolting scene include a nearly-dead baby rat that was bound in a bag with chicken bones, a freshly-decapitated chicken head, a live hen in distress, and a deceased dog with its neck snapped.
In July, one of the pigs that were in distress was discovered in a food-filled crate, emaciated, with a deep gash extending down its face and its body covered in oils and spices.
The torture is allegedly associated with a sect of Hindu devotees who have been practicing animal sacrifice in the vicinity of Jamaica Bay for decades and venerate the goddess Kali, according to a local religious leader and several rescuers.
The beaches and parks encircling Jamaica Bay have also been utilized by adherents of other religions, including Santeria and voodoo, to perform bloody rites that involve animal sacrifice.
In 1993, the United States Supreme Court upheld the right to animal sacrifice on religious grounds.
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