The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a series of animal mutilations committed in the Spring Valley area, sheriff’s department spokesman Curtis Wilson said.

The animal cruelty investigation was prompted after “cats were beheaded (and) a dog beheaded, skinned and nailed to a tree,” Wilson said in describing the manner in which these animals were killed as “horrific.” These mutilations occurred “over a period of time,” he said.

No other details were available Tuesday night. Wilson said he hoped to have more information for the public Wednesday.