SAN ANTONIO — Animal cruelty charges against 10 of 11 people who participated in a Santeria ritual involving animal sacrifice have been dropped due to insufficient evidence, court records show.

On March 16, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of animal cruelty in the 11400 block of Bronze Sand. According to law enforcement, deputies found a group of people cutting up animals parts and draining blood from chickens into a container while in the home's garage.

At the time, at least 12 people were arrested for animal cruelty charges.

Carmen Maria Gonzalez-Trujillo, Ivan Felipe Gonzalez, Liza Mercado, Luis Rodriguez-Ortiz, Roberto Talamantez, Cynthia Martinez, Marie Murica, Ramon Patino, Irma Talamantez and Alexander Campos were all charged, but those charges have been dropped.

Arteaga Ariel Torres is the only person still facing charges, but the District Attorney's office did not elaborate on why Torres' charge was not dismissed.

Practicers of Santeria believe animal sacrifice is a fundamental aspect of the belief system and ritually required as offerings to the gods. The sacrificing of an animal is perceived as an assimilation of power harnessed through the degree of torture, pain, and blood that the victim ‘offers’. In Santeria these rituals are generally documented as being used for milder good and bad spells such as to cast a love spell, acquire money, pass tests or exams and protect against evil or guilty prosecution. Afterward, the sacrificed animals are cut up to be cooked and eaten at a ceremonial dinner.