BOONE, N.C. — Nawras Jandal Al Safadi said his yard used to be filled with animals.

"I used to have in that cage over there 19 chickens I lost them all in one day," Jandal Al Safadi said.

He came to the United States from Syria in 2009. He moved to a home in Boone in February 2020 after he fell in love with the mountains that reminded him of home. Jandal Al Safadi says in two weeks he lost 40 of his animals. He claims 19 chickens were killed in one night. 

"The rabbits and goats — I find them laying dead here," Jandal Al Safadi said.

For the last several weeks, he says he's been receiving hate messages. It started at his mailbox where he found a note inside on two different occasions.

"It say you go back to your country, or you are going to get killed," Jandal Al Safadi said.

He says he has contacted both the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and the Boone Police Department about the threats. He is hoping they find the person responsible soon.

"Why we have to hate each other just based on different agendas? Why can't we live all together in this community and show love to each other," Jandal Al Safadi said.

A note was also written on his car in the parking lot where he works. Boone officers are now looking for a woman they say may have witnessed the act.