Goats Killed, Mutilated On Halloween In Placer County

AUBURN (CBS13) -- A Placer County family said two of their four goats were found killed and mutilated, and they fear the culprits may strike again.

Daniel Velasquez said his parents made the gruesome discovery on Halloween, and they assumed it was the work of a wild animal until the noticed the nature of the animals' wounds.

One of the goats had her udders and part of her head removed from her body, Daniel said.

"It's really, really creepy," he added.

The family learned of similar incidents in other areas on Halloween and called authorities, fearing the suspects could strike again.

"If it is a Satanic ritual, they'll probably perform it another time," Daniel said.

Because the goats weren't visible from the road, the family suspects someone was sneaking around their property, putting them on edge since the incident.

A spokesman for Placer County Animal Services told CBS13 they're waiting for a report from the UC Davis Medical Center for the animals' cause of death.

The two surviving goats were moved to another location for safekeeping.