Bowl Of Bird Heads Found With Machete Is 13th Mutilated Animal Discovery In Sacramento Area

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A bowl of beheaded birds was found in Sacramento in the 13th mutilated animal incident this year.

The birds were discovered in the Pocket area, near Garcia Bend Park, along with a 2-foot-long bloody machete on top of the bowl on Sunday morning.

Mutilated livestock and birds have been dumped all over Sacramento, but investigators say this is the first time a weapon was left behind.

Sacramento Animal Control officer Jace Huggins says it's possible the cases are related, but at the same time, two patterns are beginning to emerge.

"One being very showy, very elaborate, very somewhat purposeful; the others being more feeling like a discard—bodies in bags that are kinda tossed somewhere," Huggins said.

The possibility of a copycat at work hasn't been ruled out, nor whether any of the incidents were part of elaborate religious ceremonies. Red and black beads were found with the birds in Sunday's incident.

Across the street, neighbors like Betty Sugimoto are admittedly frightened by a disturbing trend showing up right on their doorstep.

"It's home. It's right here. It could be humans next. Who knows?" she said.