Meanwhile the charity PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) warned that animal abusers such as the one in Penge often go on to make humans their next victims. Santeria is an Afro-Caribbean religion that grew out of the slave trade in Cuba. Followers worship spirits called orishas, which they believe will help them in life if they carry out rituals, such as animal sacrifice.
The bizarre beheading of 14 chickens in Penge could have been the work of a cult that carries out religious sacrifices, according to an expert.
As reported in News Shopper last week, the heads of the hens had all been cleanly severed and taken from the coop at the devastated owner Philip Fairbrother’s home in Avington Grove.
The 61-year-old has also revealed he saw no blood when he found his pets’ bodies, leading to speculation the blood was drained, a common element to such sacrifices.
To try and find out more, News Shopper tracked down Rick Ross, an expert from the Rick Ross Institute in New Jersey, America, which studies destructive cults and controversial movements.
After seeing Mr Fairbrother’s story, Mr Ross said: “It is possible that this is somehow connected to the practice of Santeria or another syncretic religion with African roots.”
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