SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Animal-welfare authorities in Sacramento, Calif., reported a series of mutilated livestock carcasses around the city.

The most recent case involved the bodies of two baby goats that had been decapitated and dumped near some lightrail tracks in the city's downtown area. On Feb. 26, six decapitated goats were found near a bike trail in Sacramento's Hansen Ranch Park.


Mutilated livestock began surfacing at the end of 2014, according to news reports. Since then, authorities have reported decapitated cows, chickens, goats, a lamb and a tortoise that were left at various locations in the city, including Reichmuth Park, Garcia Bend Park and the city cemetery.

Animal-welfare authorities said the reason behind the mutilations is unclear, but local farmers are keeping a close eye on their livestock.