Chickens were likely sacrificed, police say

Two dead chickens that washed ashore, one of them beheaded, are the latest in a string of dead animals found in Newport Beach that police are chalking up to a Santería religious ceremony, authorities said.

Sunday morning police received a call of suspicious circumstances on the sand off East Ocean Front near Cypress Street in Newport Beach. Animal control found two dead chickens, one that had no apparent injuries, and a second beheaded, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Both were wrapped in a cloth with candles, he said. Police believe the chickens to be the latest incident of Santería animal sacrifices that have popped up in the city lately.

Earlier this month, authorities found a dismembered and beheaded goat and chicken that had washed ashore in a bag with vegetables. Down the coast, a duck and chicken were found with their throats cut caught in the kelp. About a week before that, animal control responded to three dead rabbits off Jamboree Road and a container buried at a local park with dead chickens and a dark liquid and peppers around it.

Police believe the incidents are related to Santería, a Afro-Cuban religion that blends multiple gods from a 19th century African religion and Roman Catholicism’s saints that its followers sacrifice animals to for good tidings. The animal’s killings, if practiced according to state codes regarding animal slaughter, are legal and protected under freedom of religion, police said.

“If these events are occurring on our beach then we are concerned that they’re happening in a public area,” Sailor said. “But if they didn’t occur here, then we’re not sure where they’re occurring.

“For now, there’s no workable evidence on anything,” he added.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.