Dead goat left on New York legislator's doorstep

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A dead goat was left outside the home of a New York state assemblyman who has sponsored bills to crack down on inhumane dog breeding practices and the illegal sale of African bushmeat, the lawmaker said on Friday.

Assemblyman Gregory Ball, who is known for promoting animal rights legislation, said he found the black-and-white goat in front of his Patterson, New York, property on Thursday.

A threatening note written in broken Spanish had been tied around the goat's neck and was signed by Mara Salvatrucha 13, a Central American gang also known as MS-13.

"Whether this crime was perpetrated by gang members, or some sick local individual, I will not be cowed by threats, and I condemn this kind of heinous violent behavior toward animals," Ball said.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; editing by Claudia Parsons and Mohammad Zargham)