'Epidemic' Of Animals Thrown From Moving Vehicles: SPCA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — After a new kitten was thrown from a moving vehicle recently, the Suffolk County SPCA said concerns have been sparked that "we are dealing with an epidemic."

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

Last week, 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.

(Suffolk County SPCA)

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. Anyone who recognizes the dog is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA.

(Suffolk County SPCA)

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 act 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.