You’ll be happy to learn that law enforcement officials in Florida are starting to doubt that “pagan” and “occult” activities are behind a recent rash of goat slayings after finding a fourth decapitated goat in the span of six months.

“The lack of blood has left investigators wondering whether the decapitations are something other than a pagan worship rite of some sort, Thompson-Poirrier said. “Either those doing this are performing very old pagan rituals, or those still making a sacrifice in this form are highly immature or unintelligent,” she said.”

Yes, amazingly, wholesale dishonorable slaughter of animals isn’t always traced back to “pagans”, the “Santeria religion”, or even “Satanic cults”. I guess “gang of cruel teens” isn’t as “sexy” (journalistically speaking) as a strange and misunderstood religion. However, to be fair, some law enforcement officials weren’t convinced of such a scenario from the beginning.

“She guessed that the incidents could be part of some “occult” ceremony, but [Police Capt. Rose] Berry wasn’t so sure. “Everything that I know about animals being used in religious ceremonies, they’re treated much better than just being thrown out on the road,” she said.”

Sounds like Police Capt. Rose Berry read a book or two before making wild guesses as to who killed these goats. Let’s hope that more law enforcement officials (and journalists) follow her lead in the future.