An Athens man was jailed late Tuesday night after a domestic altercation led to him killing and mutilating 32 chickens, an official said.

Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Stephen Young said deputes responded to a domestic altercation on Ham Road where the victim said she and 26-year-old Julio Cesar Rodriguez were in a verbal altercation.

A family member motioned to deputies to come to the backyard where they discovered 32 mutilated chickens, at least two of which were still alive and exhibiting obvious signs of suffering.

“According to the victim’s statement, she and Mr. Rodriguez were in a domestic violence situation and he became angry, took a machete outside and began hitting the chickens in the head with it,” Young said. “Rodriguez told deputies he killed the chickens because the victim wanted him to leave.”

Rodriguez, of 15403 Ham Road, was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals. His bond was set at $2,500.