Reward Offered After Someone Tosses Kitten From Car On Long Island
AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's a shocking case of animal cruelty, and now authorities are offering $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
It involves "Beetle," a black kitten who at just 9 weeks old has already used up one of his nine lives.
Beetle was reportedly thrown from a moving car's window on June 8.
Roy Gross, chief of department of the Suffolk County SPCA, said the case came to his organization's attention following an anonymous tip from someone who identified themselves as a veterinarian's technician.
"We will not tolerate this type of animal abuse in this county," Gross told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.
Gross said he is very concerned about the person who did it.
"People that hurt animals hurt people," Gross said. "Somebody like this that would commit a heinous act of animal cruelty is someone who has no feelings for animals or people, generally.
"This person needs to be apprehended as soon as possible."
The kitten was apparently thrown out of the car's window in the Amityville area three weeks ago. He was treated for broken legs and a dangerous herniation at the North Shore Animal League and is recovering with a foster family.
"Several of his organs had protruded out from the herniation under his skin. They had to be put back in place," North Shore Chief of Staff Mark Verdino told Rapoport.
"I am hoping somebody saw something," Gross added, calling the perpetrator "a coward, a savage to do something like this to an innocent animal."
"There are so many opportunities to give away an unwanted animal. To do this despicable act of animal cruelty is just unimaginable," Gross added.
If caught, the suspect could face felony animal cruelty charges, punishable by up to two years in prison.
If you have any information about the case, you're asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. Gross said all calls will be kept confidential.
If a suspect is caught and convicted, what is the appropriate punishment in this case? Sound off in our comments section.
