East Patchogue, NY - December 26, 2017 - On December 23th, 2017 Suffolk County SPCA Detectives arrested an East Patchogue man for a heinous act of animal cruelty.
Justin Notartomaso, 23, was charged with felony animal cruelty for intentionally hitting his step-brother's 2 year old female pit bull named Treasure with a 2x4 piece of lumber severely shattering her hind leg.
Treasure, a 2 year old female pit bull. Photo Credit: Suffolk SPCA
Notartomaso is presently in custody and awaiting arraignment. Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony which carries a penalty of up to 2 year imprisonment. A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentional kills or causes serious physical injury or pain.
If convicted, Notartomaso will be required by law to register with the Suffolk County Animal Abuse Registry within five days following the effective date of the release from incarceration. Each person registered with Suffolk County shall remain on the Animal Abuse Registry for five years following his release and must notify of any change of residence.
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.