Dog Dumped From Car; Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty: SPCA

MASTIC, NY — A Mastic woman was charged after a pit bull was dumped from a car last week, the Suffolk County SPCA said.

Suffolk County SPCA detectives charged Lorraine Caceres, 52, of Van Buren St. in Mastic Sunday with misdemeanor animal cruelty as well as abandonment, the SPCA said.

The SPCA said they received a call on July 9 about a dog that had been "dumped out of" a tan/beige SUV on Laurenton Drive in Mastic Beach; after a comprehensive investigation and the offer of a reward, detectives followed up on leads, the SPCA said.

The 10-to 11-year old male pit bull was picked up after an extensive search by an animal control officer and transported to Brookhaven Animal Shelter; the dog is being evaluated at the shelter, the SPCA said. When found, the dog was emaciated, very weak, hungry and thirsty, the SPCA said.

(Suffolk County SCPA)

Caceres is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on September 17, the SPCA said.

This case was one of the several cases the Suffolk County SPCA is investigating within the month where animals were thrown from vehicles, prompting the organization to say there may be an "epidemic."

"Tips from the public have been very helpful in these investigations. We are anticipating more charges for the other cases," the SPCA said in a release.

Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. Anyone who witnsses any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, or has any information about any cases is asked to please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.