Middle Township police officers were dispatched Friday to a property in the Cape May courthouse section for a report of animal cruelty, police said.

But when officers arrived at the property on Shunpike Road, they found a dead and “mutilated” goat, officials said in a statement Saturday.

Police said it was unclear if the suspect(s) fled the scene. But the incident happened on Halloween night.

The investigation is being conducted by the Middle Township Police Major Crimes Unit, and authorities are asking anyone with information to call 609-465-8704 or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.

Anonymous tips can be provided through the department’s Nixle tip line. here.

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Spencer Kent can be contacted at [email protected].