SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
The remains of two headless roosters were recently discovered near Pena Blanca Lake in Santa Cruz County.
Animal control officers were notified July 26 about carcasses found near Circulo Guerrero and State Route 289.
It is the second time in the past year and a half that remains of this sort were discovered in Santa Cruz County.
The first incident reportedly included a severed goat head as well.
"Two times around in the same general area, obviously we have to be mindful, we have to be concerned," says Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff Tony Estrada.
"Hopefully it's not some weird individual or some weird idea that's behind this kind of stuff."
Authorities believe this may be part of some sort of ritual that includes animal sacrifice.
"People have to realize that if they do something like this ... they can be held accountable and responsible for it -- they could be facing criminal charges," Sheriff Estrada says. "This is animal cruelty and it's unacceptable."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff's Department at (520) 761-7869.
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This is the area near Pena Blanca Lake where the decapitated roosters were found.
