Wildlife rescuers across the tri-state area are raising alarms after a series of disturbing discoveries in public parks and beaches.

A Turn to Tara investigation has revealed that signs of suspected ritual animal abuse have been found from Brooklyn to Long Island to Connecticut, including wooded areas, cemeteries and beaches.

Karenlynn Stracher runs Long Island Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting wildlife. She says she’s been busy rescuing animals from increasingly disturbing rituals involving torture.

Sloane Quealy, the president of Zion's Mission Animal Rescue, says she's also spent months responding to sacrifice scenes and the toll is mounting.

The majority of their reports trace back to Spring Creek Park in New York City, which is on federal property.

Senior Reporter Tara Rosenblum found that animal sacrifice is protected by the nation and the state's highest courts – yet there is a critical exception in New York state. If law enforcement can prove an animal suffered during a ritual, criminal charges for animal cruelty can be filed.

To find out just how widespread the problem is the Turn to Tara team filed a public information request with the National Park Service back in September seeking data on complaints and prosecutions.

Nine months later, the team is still waiting for the data.

However, local law enforcement officers have confirmed a troubling rise in incidents reportedly tied to ritualistic animal torture, including 41 cases in Nassau County, 11 in Suffolk County and cases in New Jersey, the Hudson Valley and Connecticut.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola is pushing for a crackdown.

"These are fringe groups mutilating and killing animals. They're criminals, nothing more, nothing less. These are heinous acts, and they are not protected under the law," says Ariola.

By shining a light on the unsettling scenes, rescuers and lawmakers hope to put an end to future sacrifices before more animals are harmed.