Southeast Area Animal Control Authority Director Aaron Reyes said Monday that the dead sharks were discovered after a resident noticed a bad smell coming from the trash can. The woman looked inside and found the dead sharks.
Reyes says investigators are looking for leads and especially mystified by a 3-inch incision found on the belly of one of the sharks.
He says it is illegal to keep leopard sharks under 36 inches and larger animals require a permit from the state Department of Fish and Game.
Baby leopard sharks are popular with aquarium hobbyists, but often grow too big for their tanks.
