Hauppauge, NY - August 26, 2015 - The Suffolk County SPCA, The Department of Environmental Conservation Police and the Town of Brookhaven will hold a joint Press Conference on Thursday August 27th at 11:00 am at the Suffolk County SPCA Office at 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Building 16, Hauppauge, NY.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA said that the 25 lb. Alligator Snapping Turtle was found over the past weekend by a Kayaker who was fishing with his son at the launching area for Kayaks and Canoes in the stream opposite the Smithtown Bull at the intersection of Rts. 25 and 25A in Smithtown. People were walking in the water at the time to launch their kayaks and canoes. The abandoned reptile is powerful enough to bite of toes or a part of someone's foot.
Gross said that these reptiles are not indigenous to this area and are mainly found from eastern Texas to the Florida Panhandle. Gross also said that this is another perfect example of people dumping reptiles which are illegal to own which could pose a serious danger and risk to the public.
Photo opportunity of the reptile will be available on Thursday at the Press Conference.
