SPCA: East Patchogue Man Charged with Allowing His Four Pet Reptiles to Freeze to Death
East Patchogue, NY - April 13, 2018 - On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, Suffolk County SPCA detectives charged an East Patchogue man with a blatant act of animal cruelty.
William Rodriquez, 29, was charged with four (4) counts of animal cruelty by Suffolk County SPCA detectives for allowing his four reptiles, including his pet ball python and a Savannah Monitor lizard, to freeze to death in an outdoor storage container.
Each charge is punishable by one (1) year in jail and or $1,000 fine. If convicted, Rodriquez will be required by law to register with the Suffolk County Animal Abuse Registry. Each person registered in the registry shall remain on the Animal Abuse Registry for five years following their release and must notify of any change of residence.
Rodriquez will be arraigned in Central Islip District Court on June 12, 2018.
Chief Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please 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.