Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Dogs Found Emaciated: SPCA

MASTIC BEACH, NY — A Bellport man was charged with animal cruelty Friday after his dogs were found emaciated, the Suffolk County SPCA said.

Ra Quan Wessley, 22, was charged by Suffolk County SPCA detectives with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty at his family's home in Mastic Beach for failure to provide proper sustenance for his two young male pit bull canines, the SPCA said.

Both dogs were found outside in a dirt-filled, metal fenced kennel without food or water — and the dog's ribs and spine were visible to a point of emaciation, the SPCA said. A third dog was inside the home. All three dogs were transported to the Brookhaven Shelter, the SPCA said.

Wesley is scheduled to appear in First District Court on Jan. 24.

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