© Sandor Bodo Warwick City Hall
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for help finding whoever is responsible for the “ritualistic sacrificial killings” of about a dozen chickens in Rhode Island.
Over the last year and a half, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has investigated multiple complaints about chickens that appear to have been sacrificed, according to the Humane Society of the United States, which is offering the reward.
The first chickens were found around City Hall in Warwick. Investigators believe the birds were killed somewhere else and taken to City Hall, according to the Humane Society. Dead birds have also been found in a Woonsocket park, a cemetery, a front yard and on the side of the road, the Humane Society said.
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“The manner in which these animals are being killed is brutal and not consistent with humane killings that would meet religious exemptions,” the Rhode Island SPCA said in a press release.
Two hens appear to have been stomped to death, according to the Humane Society. One hen appeared to have been struck with something and had internal trauma; all appeared to have been suspended upside down, with ligature marks visible on their legs, the Humane Society said.
“The cruel ways these animals were killed caused them significant suffering, and were clearly in violation of the state’s animal cruelty statute,” the Humane Society said.
The Humane Society says animal cruelty cases should be taken seriously.
“The connection between animal cruelty and violence toward people is well documented,” the Humane Society said. “Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and many other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.
Earl Newman, a law-enforcement agent for the SPCA, says he’s hopeful the reward will help investigators solve the case.
The reward is offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible, according to the Humane Society.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the Rhode Island SPCA at (401) 438-8150, ext. 3 or email cruelty@rispca.com.
jperry@providencejournal.com
(401) 277-7614
On Twitter: @jgregoryperry
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: $5,000 reward offered for information on ‘sacrificial killings’ of chickens in RI