The brains appeared to be part of a collection that was used for educational or research purposes. Residents discovered the brains on a street near railroad tracks in Governeur N.Y. and notified the police immediately. The brains appeared to be smaller in stature and not of a human origin so a local veterinarian was called to exam the discarded organs. The veterinarian determined one of the brains had been professionally removed and preserved in formaldehyde. The organs are believed to be either from dogs or sheep. No criminal activity is suspected and mishaps with preserved brains are not uncommon.

Last year the University of Texas in Austin said dozens of human brains stored in jars of formaldehyde and reported missing were actually destroyed in 2002. Those brains had been donated for teaching and research.