Animal sacrifices found in barbershop basement

Chickens, pigeons and roosters were found in the basement of an American barbershop, but the owner said they were necessary for his religious beliefs. File photo / Thinkstock

An American man believes he is the target of religious discrimation when his barbershop was closed after city inspectors discovered chickens, pigeons and roosters - including one dead bird - in the basement, surrounded by religious paraphernalia.

Owner of Bad Boyz Cutz, William Camacho, said the birds were for animal sacrifices and claims that closing his shop amounted to religious discrimination, reported ABC.

The animals were found in an inspection of the building after an anonymous tip complaining of loud poultry-type sounds coming from the building.

Kept in a wire cages and a cardboard box, the three chickens, two pigeons and four roosters were found in a room with an ornate alter with candles and statues near a wall illustrated with hand-drawn religious symbols.

Camacho, 41, told ABC the birds were being to be used for animal sacrifice as part of his religion, which incorporates elements of Afro-Caribbean rituals.

"It's called Palo Mayombe . It's actually working with the dead and working with the spirits. We use the roosters to sacrifice so that the spirits can eat. That's the way they eat. It's a tradition."

Camacho feels his rights have been "violated', however the town mayor Scott Langley said the alleged practice of animal sacrifice has absolutely nothing to do with closing of Bad Boyz Cutz.

"Some of the animals were kept in cages, and others in cardboard boxes," said Langley. "The reason why the barbershop was shut down was because of the unsanitary conditions. There's no running water, water, no sink to protect customers against health hazards."

"There were feces all over the basement, lots of flies and no sealed door between barbershop and basement. With all the traffic the shop gets, this is a clear health violation."