Kids find decapitated farm animals in a LaBelle pond

Kids fishing at a pond off Cedarwood Parkway in LaBelle on Labor Day discovered decapitated farm animals in the water, prompting an investigation. "We poked it with our fishing rod, and it felt like a limp elbow," said Jacob Mendoza, one of the kids. "We opened it up and I seen the chicken first. I was like, 'Oh, it's a bag of chickens,' but then I seen a hog. That's when I seen the cut-off head, and the first thing I thought was a goat." The smell near the pond was horrendous. Neighbors are unsure how long the animals have been in the water, but they believe the clean cuts on the remains suggest the work of a person rather than an alligator. "It's a strange place for a goat to be," said Mike Kemp, a Labelle resident who lives near the pond. "There is no reason for a goat to be around the pond." Kemp expressed shock at the discovery and questioned how and why the animals ended up there. "It looks like the head was severed," he said. The kids who found the remains also shared their thoughts. "Who just cuts off a goat head and doesn't use the meat?" Mendoza said. "Probably just crazy people," added Zadrian Luna, another child at the scene. "Maybe like a ritual," Mendoza said, speculating. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is now looking into the situation. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.