Police believe followers of Santeria could be behind the slaughtered chickens and goats found in several communities throughout Westchester.

Santeria is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on West African beliefs and traditions, along with some Roman Catholic elements. Sgt. Kevin Murphy, a retired Yonkers investigator, has investigated hundreds of cases of slaughtered animals over the years. He says he has learned that Santerians sacrifice animals as a means to bring good luck.

Santeria is a protected religion and its followers are not breaking the law by slaughtering animals. However, they can get into trouble for how the animals are disposed of.

Several bags of dead animal parts were found improperly discarded since July in Mount Vernon, Yorktown and New Rochelle. The animal carcasses were found in the Long Island Sound, in the woods and by the side of the road.