Memorial Service to be Held for Roxie, Dog Hung From a Tree

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS - Hearts are broken across the area for Roxie, an eight-month old pit bull mix puppy that was found hanging from a tree in Bellport.

On Sunday at 3 p.m. a memorial service will be held for Roxie in the Martha Area Recreation Park in Bellport.

The case got local attention when some asked if the Animal Clinic of Hampton Bays had ever been a patient at the facility.

On their Facebook page in March, the Animal Clinic of Hampton Bays wrote to clear up the confusion and misunderstanding: "We are heartbroken over the tragic news of Roxie's death. Per the owner's request, we were assisting her in finding a new home for Roxie. Roxie was never in our possession, and we did not give her up for adoption. We lost contact with the owner in January and haven't heard from her since that time."

The clinic added that they wanted to clear up any "misunderstandings with our involvement with Roxie's case. We are not a shelter and Roxie was not up for adoption here at the clinic. We don't know who the owner adopted Roxie out to, or if she did adopt her out at all. We, also, have been in contact with the investigators of this case and are trying to help them with any information we can. We are so sorry for the misunderstanding and we are just as upset about the incident as you are," they wrote.

Questions still swirl over who left the pup to die, and animal lovers near and far are searching for answers.

The Suffolk County SPCA as well as the Guardians of Rescue, New York Bully Crew and other anonymous supporters continue to offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of the whoever is "responsible for this heinous act of animal cruelty," the Suffolk County SPCA wrote.

Currently the reward stands at $21,500.

The puppy was found in a wooded area near Martha and Bellport Avenues.

Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, said that on February 29,, the SPCA received a call from Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter that they were notified that a tri-color female pit bull mix was found hanging from a tree. The shelter picked up the deceased dog and contacted the SPCA.

"Suffolk County SPCA detectives are investigating this heinous act of animal cruelty," Gross wrote.

A necropsy was performed indicating blunt force trauma, he said. 'Unfortunately, any individual that can do something of this nature is capable of a committing a more horrific crime. There is a strong correlation between animal abuse, domestic violence and child abuse," Gross said.

Under New York State law any person who intentionally kills a companion animal can be facing felony cruelty animal charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential. "Please find it your heart to help us seek justice for Roxie," the SPCA said.