$3K Reward For 'Heinous' Person Who Threw Dog Out Of Moving SUV

CALVERTON, NY — A $3,000 reward has been offered to find whoever is responsible for a "barbaric" act of animal cruelty.

According to the Suffolk SPCA the New York State Humane Association pledged $1,000 toward the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for throwing a dog out of a moving car in Calverton. In addition, the Suffolk County SPCA offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible.

The Suffolk County SPCA received a call on Wednesday from Michael Koemm of Coram who witnessed a dark-colored SUV toss an 8-week old pit bull mix out of the vehicle at 7 a.m. The vehicle was heading eastbound on Route 25 near Calverton Cemetery; the first 3 letters on the license plate are TZR, the SPCA said.

The dog was transported to an animal hospital in Riverhead. Koemm works as a veterinarian assistant at East End Veterinary Center; he brought the puppy, who he has decided to adopt and name Elsa, for treatment. She was not injured during the incident.

"I appreciate your interest in my story," Koemm said in a statement. "I never sought to receive additional attention from a simple act. It's been a bit overwhelming." He asked that his privacy be respected moving forward, and said that he would decline to comment further. "I would like to take care of my new companion, Elsa and the other animals in my care," he said.

Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said the search is on for the driver. "We're very happy that the dog is safe and is going to have a good home — especially during the holiday season," Gross told Patch. "But somebody that could do something like this should be imprisoned. If apprehended, they are facing serious animal cruelty charges, with a sentence of up to two years in jail."

Throwing an animal out of a moving vehicle can cause serious injury, even death. The incident is the latest in a series of reported instances of animals being hurled from moving cars in past months, he said.

Of the Calverton incident, he said, "We're really like to apprehend this person and let the world know what a barbaric act of animal cruelty this is."

Many alternatives exist, he added: "They could have brought the dog to a shelter, a rescue group. If they'd called the SPCA, we could have found it a home. Why would you do something like this? How could you be so cold-hearted to an innocent animal that gives you nothing but love and devotion. And yet, it seems like an epidemic."

In July, a kitten was thrown from a moving vehicle, the Suffolk County SPCA said concerns had been sparked back then that "we are dealing with an epidemic."

The SPCA announced in July that a $2,000 reward had been offered for information about each of the unsolved incidents.

Also in July, a man was arrested in Flanders and charged with felony animal cruelty for throwing a kitten from a moving vehicle, killing the animal, police said.

"A motorist witnessed this heinous act of animal cruelty. Unfortunately this barbaric act is occurring more often than we realize," the SPCA said.

On Monday, June 24 between 3:30 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. a witness saw a cat thrown from a vehicle driving southbound on Route 231 in Deer Park, the SPCA said; the live kitten was struck and killed by another car. According to the witness, the vehicle appeared to be a black Chevy Impala four-door sedan, the SPCA said.

On July 1, five kittens were thrown from a vehicle traveling west on Sunrise Highway at the entrance ramp for the Southern State Parkway in Islip between 6:30 a.m. and 6:35 a.m., the SPCA said. At least two were hit by cars and did not survive, the SPCA said.

A white SUV may have witnessed the occurrence; the body of one kitten was found in front of the 7 Eleven on Sunrise Highway in Islip Terrace, the SPCA said.

Then, on July 5, between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., two kittens were believed to be thrown from a car on Wading River Hollow Road just south of 25A by Bellaire Drive in Ridge, the SPCA said. The kittens were found on the road; both were taken to Riverhead Animal Hospital and are in critical condition, the SPCA said.

On July 9, a dog was thrown out of a car by a woman with black hair between 30 and 40 years old who was driving a tan/beige SUV, the SPCA said. The dog was dumped on Laurelton Drive in Mastic Beach between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the SPCA said.

On Monday, December 3, 2018 at 8:15 a.m. two kittens were allegedly thrown out of a speeding white sedan on Log Road in Patchogue by the intersection of Risley Road and Prince Street, the SPCA said.

Anyone who witnessed "any of these heinous acts of animal cruelty" or has any information is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631 382-7722. All calls will be keep confidential.