An animal welfare official says a beheaded dog and cat found in Philadelphia appear to be the result of a ritual sacrifice.

Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals director of investigations George Bengal says the dog and cat were found Friday near a bike path in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood along with three beheaded chickens. He says he believes the animals were killed elsewhere and the remains dumped where a passer-by found them.

Bengal says there is usually an increase in ritual animal sacrifices at this time of year because of "a lot of high holidays that different groups celebrate." But he says most of those sacrifices involve goats and chickens.

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Information from: Philadelphia Daily News, http://www.philly.com