Hillsborough, N.C. — A Mexican restaurant closed voluntarily after authorities confirmed that a cook had slaughtered at least one goat in the kitchen, police said.

Managers at Banditos at 122 S. Churton St. decided to close while Orange County Health Department officials investigated the report, Hillsborough police Lt. Davis Trimmer said.

The cook, whose name was not released, butchered the animal for his own use, and the meat was not served to customers, Trimmer said.

The restaurant owner and managers told police they did not know what the cook was doing and that they were proud to have earned a health-inspection grade of 98.