Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bag Of Decapitated Goats Found On Long Island
By
Emma Whitford
Published Jun 26, 2015
Modified Jun 26, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Emma Whitford
Published Jun 26, 2015
Modified Jun 26, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Authorities are investigating a bag of headless goats found on Long Island.
According to animal cruelty officials in Riverhead, three goat bodies were found on the side of the road in Otis Pike Preserve on Tuesday, crammed gruesomely into a single black plastic bag. Their heads, found nearby, were nestled among pineapples, mangoes, and oranges.
The scene resembled those more commonly found in Prospect Park.
An SPCA spokesman who responded to the scene described the goats as "severely decomposed," suggesting that they died "a while ago," according to the Post.
Long Island officials, who are citing a possible ritualistic killing, might do well to speak with a self-described priest of "African Traditional Religions," like we did, last March. According to our source, it's very rare for a ritualistic sacrifice to involve the entire goat:
Not giving away secrets, but, when an offering of a four legged animal is done, its either for something major taking place, so its not done often.
Depending on the situation, more often than not, the rest of the animal is prepared properly and cooked. Only in certain situations is the animal not cooked and eaten.
That said, if the killing was ritualistic, "That means that negative energies were absorbed by it, therefore, anyone else coming in contact with it... is now able to pick up the possible energies."
The SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information can call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722; all calls will be kept confidential.
Tagged
goat head
headless goats
long island
Emma Whitford
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .