Pair of dead chickens found on NYC block for second time in four months, fueling ritual-suspect chatter

Two dead chickens were found on the Upper West Side on Tuesday morning, marking the second such discovery in four months and stoking questions about whether a ritual or occult practice is at play along a busy Broadway corridor.

The birds were discovered lying head-to-claw along the median at Broadway and West 91st Street, the West Side Rag reported. Onlookers described the birds as golden-feathered, positioned in a way that caught the attention of residents and passers-by alike.

The latest finding marks the third time in roughly 16 months that two nearly identical chickens have been laid out within a three-block stretch along the outer ring of Broadway between 89th and 92nd streets. A prior pair was reported on May 24 just blocks away in front of Broadway Malls on West 89th Street, and the first pair appeared on June 25, 2024, at West 92nd Street and Broadway, according to community reporting.

Experts who study animal welfare and religious practices say the pattern—timing, proximity and placement—appears consistent with a ritual or ceremonial sequence, though they caution that there is no official cause established yet. John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island, told The Post that the recurring dates and locations suggest a routine sacrifice and that law enforcement intervention would be necessary to stop it if it continues.

"The similar dates these animals were found underscores the likelihood that they are connected to a routine sacrifice and unlikely to stop without law enforcement intervention," Di Leonardo said. "While animal sacrifice is often associated with Santeria or voodoo, we’ve rescued animals from sacrifices by even Judeo-Christian and Hindu practitioners, like the use of chickens as Kaporos in some Hasidic communities, the killing of cattle during Eid, and the slaughter of pigs and chickens in Shakti ceremonies surrounding Jamaica Bay."

Animal rights advocates note that the occurrences could be linked to broader networks that source live birds from the city’s markets. Di Leonardo said the birds likely originated from one of New York City’s roughly 80 live slaughter markets, many of which have drawn scrutiny amid reports of public-health code violations. "More than two dozen live slaughter markets in New York City have tested positive for avian influenza this year as well," he added. "It is illegal for live slaughter markets to sell live birds to the public, however, we know live slaughter markets regularly violate public health codes by selling live birds to those who slaughter them in the streets, often for cruel and inhumane animal sacrifice."

Officials with the West Side Rag have not identified any official motive or group behind the latest discovery, and the publication noted that its coverage aligns with earlier posts cataloging the ongoing pattern. The West Side Rag’s reporting also underscored that investigators have yet to determine why the chickens were placed in the median or whether the incidents are connected beyond timing and location. The publication added that the ongoing investigation has yielded no results to date.

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For the third time in 16 months, two dead chickens have again been found laid out in the same fashion on the outer ring of a Broadway street median from 89th to 92nd streets. The ongoing West Side Rag investigation has yielded no results on why the chickens are crossing the road.

Municipal officials have not made any formal statements about this week’s discovery, and there is no designation of any criminal activity at this time. Police and health officials typically respond to reports of live-animal sacrifices with investigations focused on public safety and animal welfare, but this case remains under local scrutiny as residents weigh what, if anything, should be done to prevent future occurrences.

The chain of discoveries—first in late June 2024, then again in May 2025 and now in September 2025—has elevated questions within the neighborhood about ritual practices, cultural expression, and the boundaries of ceremonial activity in a densely populated urban setting. Local residents have expressed concern about public health implications, while others framed the incidents as a bizarre but isolated set of events in a community known for its cultural diversity and street-side life.

As investigators continue to review CCTV footage and interview witnesses, officials cautioned that there is no confirmed motive and no conclusive link among the incidents. The case highlights a tension between urban ritual practices and public safety concerns, a topic that often surfaces in neighborhoods where cultural traditions intersect with high-profile city life.