Neighbors Complain Of Animal Sacrifices, Rituals At 'Santeria' House
Homeowner Says He Does Not Practice Witchcraft
POSTED: Tuesday, June 24, 2008
UPDATED: 7:51 am EDT June 25,
2008
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Reports of animal sacrifices and Santeria rituals in a home have caused concern for some homeowners in a Central Florida community.
IMAGES: Images Inside Home
Residents living in the Waterford Lakes community near Lake Underhill Road recently called sheriff's deputies after seeing people carrying live chickens into the home of Hector Febus.Febus has practiced the Santeria religion for about 30 years."Yeah, we are not happy about that type of religion," neighbor Ron Hardbower said. "The religion itself is OK, but to have that here in this neighborhood? This is a very quiet residential area. We don't expect to see goats herded in or chickens being carried in and out."Febus said Tuesday that he was performing a healing ritual the night neighbors called police but the chicken were for food and not sacrificed.Febus allowed Local 6 cameras inside his home and in a room where people come for consultations and a prayer room where he mediates.Febus would not allow cameras in a temple he built in his home, Local 6 reporter Jessica Sanchez reported.Speaking through a translator, Febus said he has proof that people have come to the house with cancer and been cured with the gathering of the spirit and God."The religion is not witchcraft," Febus said. "(We) believe in God. Many people think that Santerias don't believe in God but they really do.""I don't think in a small residential community like this they should be doing that," Hardbower said.Sanchez reported that even if Febus were performing animal sacrifices with the chickens, he would not be breaking any laws.Under a 1993 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, animal sacrifices are considered a religious right and therefore not illegal, Sanchez reported.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
IMAGES: Images Inside Home Residents living in the Waterford Lakes community near Lake Underhill Road recently called sheriff's deputies after seeing people carrying live chickens into the home of Hector Febus.Febus has practiced the Santeria religion for about 30 years."Yeah, we are not happy about that type of religion," neighbor Ron Hardbower said. "The religion itself is OK, but to have that here in this neighborhood? This is a very quiet residential area. We don't expect to see goats herded in or chickens being carried in and out."Febus said Tuesday that he was performing a healing ritual the night neighbors called police but the chicken were for food and not sacrificed.Febus allowed Local 6 cameras inside his home and in a room where people come for consultations and a prayer room where he mediates.Febus would not allow cameras in a temple he built in his home, Local 6 reporter Jessica Sanchez reported.Speaking through a translator, Febus said he has proof that people have come to the house with cancer and been cured with the gathering of the spirit and God."The religion is not witchcraft," Febus said. "(We) believe in God. Many people think that Santerias don't believe in God but they really do.""I don't think in a small residential community like this they should be doing that," Hardbower said.Sanchez reported that even if Febus were performing animal sacrifices with the chickens, he would not be breaking any laws.Under a 1993 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, animal sacrifices are considered a religious right and therefore not illegal, Sanchez reported.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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