Patchogue, NY - November 5th, 2015 - The Suffolk County SPCA and Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad Detectives are seeking information from the public to help identify the individual(s) responsible for brutally torturing and killing a 4-6 month old kitten and an adult cat in a residential neighborhood in Patchogue.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA said that the two feral cats were found on Saturday October 10th on the resident's lawn. The two cats were found in the vicinity of Corbin Avenue in East Patchogue.. This is a vicious, heinous act of animal cruelty and how anyone could do this to these innocent cats is beyond reason, Gross said. Studies have shown that acts of violence, such as this, toward animals can be a precursor to violence against humans.
A third cat was found on Monday, November 2nd approximately 450 feet from the first two cats and was disemboweled. Results from a Necropsy are pending. Evidence found at the scene where the third cat was located suggests that it was thrown over a fence.
The Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. The Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. NYSHA is also pledging an additional $1,000 reward upon arrest and conviction. An anonymous donor has also offered a $1,000 reward bringing the total reward amount to $9,000.00.
Since cats are companion animals, the perpetrator(s) of this crime is facing felony animal cruelty charges.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
