NEW BEDFORD (CBS) – New Bedford’s mayor denies the city is violating the religious rights of a local barber whose rites involve animal sacrifice.

William Camacho’s religion is Palo Mayombe and it involves the ritual sacrifice of chickens.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Kendall Buhl reports

When New Bedford health authorities found birds, both alive and dead, in the basement of Camacho’s barbershop, they shut it down.

New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang says it’s a clear-cut case of public health.

Lang says “Bad Boy Cuts” can open its doors again once the owner has cleaned up the basement.