Religious expert: discarded animal carcasses could be voodoo
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Four in Your Corner not giving up on getting answers for people finding bags of dead animals in their neighborhood around Birkdale Avenue in North Fort Myers. Video by fox4now.com
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - For two weeks, we've been following this story. Explaining why neighbors are disgusted and saddened by whoever is dumping dead animals in plain sight. But a religious expert tells me we could be tapping into a whole other world.
For weeks, someone's turned Birkdale Avenue in Cape Coral into a pet cemetery.
"I'm concerned for my animals, I'm concerned for my neighbors animals," said Michele Mitchell, who lives nearby.
On one side, dead chickens have littered the canal. Most recently strewn on the sidewalk with scattered bones and feathers.
"It just makes me very, very mad," said Frank Konners, who lives a block away.
Across the street, a similar scene plays out. More animal parts and carcasses. Deputies even checked out the skeletal remains of a hog, as shown in video given to Fox 4.
"I saw the bleach, brown profile of a rib cage and a spinal cord, a spinal column and a lot of bones scattered on the ground," said Michael Mitchell, Michele's husband. "And what'd you think when you saw it?" asked Fox 4 reporter Gabrielle Sarann. "I thought 'gee, it could be a crime scene'," replied Michael.
Sick of speculating, neighbors want clarity.
"Give us some answers," pleaded Michele.
"They should investigate," added Konners.
Rob Avola, an adjunct professor of world religions at Edison State College, says this may be Haitian voodoo.
"This could be a person, they're very troubled in their spirit and maybe they feel like the spirit is accosting them," explained Avola. "They're offering sacrifice."
Like the contents of that bag, in which a chicken, shirt and cigar could be an offering.
"Because of the shirt and the cigar, they're supposed to be personal items used for that," added Avola.
A sheriff's deputy now focusing on the area to catch those responsible.
"He is going to do some things in order to basically get a few more eyes and ears on our end out there," said Sgt. Stephanie Eller, with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. "And hopefully we'll be able to put an end to this."
As a neighborhood bands together to keep watch.
"I am keeping a look out," said Konners. "I am keeping a watch and i think all the people are, as well."
Whoever is caught illegally dumping the animals will face a penalty. A minimum of $100 citation to jail time for a third degree felony. If you have any information, call the non-emergency tip line at 477-1000 or Crime Stoppers at 780-TIPS.
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