Suffolk authorities probe another ritualistic animal killing

A tongue believed to have come from a cow was found screwed to a tree in East Islip Friday, and investigators say they know the message behind what appears to be the latest in a string of the ritualistic animal killings.

The 16-inch tongue was split and had candle wax and what appeared to be red ribbon twined around it when found in a wooded area near Montauk Highway and Union Boulevard, across from Bayard Cutting Arboretum, the Suffolk County SPCA said.

Experts said the tongue is meant "to instruct the spirits to stop someone from spreading rumors, gossiping or stopping a witness from testifying in court," SPCA chief Roy Gross said. "It's a defensive sort of prayer."

Third Precinct detectives were notified, he said.

The tongue was fresh, possibly left overnight, Gross said. A white candle was at the base of the tree, and red cloth was also pinned near the tongue, he said.

The animal part is the fifth such discovery in Suffolk since June 24, the SPCA said. The others have included chickens and goats.

A severely-decomposed tongue was found in a wooded area in Central Islip last week, Gross said.

It's not clear if the two cases are related, he said.

The SPCA and the New York State Humane Association has each put out a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

The SPCA ask anyone with information to call 631-382-7722. Calls are confidential.