VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County deputies are investigating after nine severed animal heads were found on the side of a DeBary road.
The gruesome discovery was made on Toms Road last week.
Investigators told Channel 9's Mike Springer that they think the animals were part of a "cleansing ritual."
The bodies of animals were found underneath an upside down recycle bin by a woman riding her bike.
Investigators said a family told them they killed the five chickens, two pigeons, one goat and a turtle to cleanse a man of his schizophrenic thoughts. All the animals were missing their heads.
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Court records showed the man the ritual was being performed on was arrested for animal cruelty last year for hanging a dog, investigators said.
He pleaded no contest to the charge.
An official with the sheriff's office told Eyewitness News that it is still investigating the case and charges may be filed.