Animals

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 14 that Double D Bar Ranch, Inc., a self-proclaimed animal sanctuary in Manorville, was arraigned on 112 counts of animal neglect. Specifically, it is alleged that Double D Bar Ranch neglected a broad variety of animals by failing to provide them with proper care including adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. The animals that were allegedly neglected include, but are not limited to cows, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, a mule, and an alpaca.

“No matter what name it operates under, a ‘sanctuary’ is not a sanctuary when it becomes a place of suffering,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our commitment to protecting animals is unwavering. When those who claim to provide care instead allow neglect and cruelty, we will take necessary action. This prosecution reflects our dedication to ensuring that no animal is left to suffer without food, water, shelter, or medical attention. We are grateful to our many partners, law enforcement and beyond, who stepped in and stepped up for these animals.”

page1image36164480According to the investigation, beginning in early January 2025, Suffolk County Police Department detectives detailed to the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) began visiting Double D Bar Ranch almost daily after receiving numerous complaints about the welfare of animals on the property. These complaints were exacerbated by the frigid, sub-zero temperatures that were consistently occurring at the time. Once on the property, detectives allegedly observed hundreds of animals with improper shelter and no access to liquid water. Among the animals on the property were a dog, cats, horses, cows, goats, sheep, an alpaca, pigs, chickens, turkeys, mules, peacocks, and assorted waterfowl. Some animals were allegedly found deceased. Several animals allegedly had untreated medical conditions including dental disease, tumors, matting, untreated wounds, lameness, respiratory infections, arthritis, emaciation, swollen body parts, and overgrown hooves, claws, and nails.

BEAST detectives spent several weeks working with various public and private partners to triage the animals. During such time, BEAST detectives worked hundreds of hours on-premises personally tending to the animals’ needs. Dozens of animals of various species have since been removed and efforts to remediate the premises are continuing. An appearance ticket was issued on February 11, 2025.

On February 13, Double D Bar Ranch was arraigned on 112 charges before District Court Judge Susan A. Berland. BEAST prosecutors requested two court orders which were both granted by Judge Berland. Those orders require Double D Bar Ranch to not take in any additional animals during the pendency of the case, and for law enforcement to continuously monitor the welfare of the animals that are still on the Double D Bar Ranch property. Double D Bar Ranch is due back in court on February 24, 2025, and the corporation is bring represented by Nora Constance Marino and Joseph W. Murray, Esqs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Brooke Salvatore and Joanna Chalifoux of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), and the investigation was conducted by Detective Joanna Westrack and other detectives assigned to the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney’s Squad.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the following organizations, businesses, and offices for their tireless work in this case:

  • 13 Hands Equine Rescue
  •  Blue Arrow Farm
  • Deep Hollow Ranch
  • Eastern Snouts
  • Humane Long Island
  • Mattituck Laurel Veterinary Hospital
  • Suffolk County Farm / Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • The Suffolk County Executive’s Office
  • The Town of BrookhavenReport animal abuse, neglect, or illegal possession of an exotic or dangerous animal in Suffolk County via their website. Always call 911 in the event of an emergency. If you would like to report anonymously, please call Crimestoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

MEET WALL-E!

This week’s featured shelter pet is Wall-E, a two-year-old orange tabby cat  who has been at the Smithtown Animal Shelter since late January. 

Found through the shelter’s TNR program, this sweet boy obviously comes from a tough life of being bullied but he is gentle and loving. Wall-E is FIV+ but that is no issue so long as he remains an indoor only cat. According to shelter staff, this sweet hunk loves to be loved all of the time. Adopt this young boy and you will not regret it.

If you are interested in meeting Wall-E, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

By Julianne Mosher

Who needs a box of chocolates when you can adopt a puppy this Valentine’s Day?

Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter will be hosting its first annual Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Port Jefferson Station location for a special holiday fundraiser.

According to Dori Scofield, president of Save a Pet, the Yappy Hour will feature wine, charcuterie boards and desserts inside the adoption center, which they are transforming into a romantic setting for a purr-fect night out. 

“We’ll have tables set up with candlelight and roses for the women,” she said. “It’s going to be a really fun night.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards helping dogs who need orthopedic surgeries, including Teddy, above. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield

Just this month, the shelter, which is already home to several dozen cats and dogs up for adoption, received 30 puppies from Georgia and Puerto Rico. 

“The shelters there are just too overcrowded,” said Scofield.

Those little loves, who will be joining you for your date night roaming the room, are up for adoption and the $25 ticket price will come off the adoption fee, Scofield added.

Proceeds from the event will go to continue support for the adoption center and also help care for three special cases; dogs who need orthopedic surgeries. One dog, Teddy, who is not for adoption, was unfortunately hit by a car and thanks to his latest procedure will be at Yappy Hour sporting his new cast and overseeing the night’s schedule.

If you’re looking for a lovable cat or dog who might be a little older, all the other animals available will be adoptable, too.

Those animals come from all different situations, Scofield said. “We have strays, animals who were abandoned, left in the woods, left in the streets… abandoned, abused and neglected.”

And you won’t need Cupid to shoot an arrow through your heart to fall in love with one of them.

Save-A-Pet, 608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station will hold a Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, visit www.saveapetusa.org. 631-473-6333.

Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA have charged a Kings Park woman with alleged animal cruelty, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia after the execution of a search warrant on her residence on Feb. 8.

Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Cazandra Nucci, 42, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that Nucci neglected eleven sugar gliders and nine cats in her care by failing to provide a safe and clean environment. Additionally there were 9 dead sugar gliders and 1 dead snake.

The operation was executed with assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit, Homicide Section, 4th Precinct Patrol, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office BEAST Unit, Town of Smithtown’s Fire Marshal’s Office, Code Enforcement and Animal Shelter.

Upon executing a search warrant in the afternoon of February 8, 2025, detectives found the home the animals were confined inside had noxious air and odor of feces, urine, and rot were so pungent it made personnel cough and gag upon entry and stung their eyes. The animals found indoors were in an overcrowded area of hoarded garbage over six feet high in some spaces. Dozens of apparent drug paraphernalia were strewn about the residence, crack cocaine and MDMA were recovered along with nine deceased sugar gliders. The conditions inside were so extreme that personnel had to crawl over the piles of debris inside. The residence has been placarded as unfit for human occupancy by the Town of Smithtown Code Enforcement.

Nucci was booked at the Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct and released. She is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip, on February 28. The animals will soon be available for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.

Image courtesy of Sweetbriar Nature Center

Every year Hoover the Goat at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown picks the winner of the Super Bowl and for the last 7 years, he’s been on a roll, correctly predicting the champion 5 times by munching on the team. This year, Hoover, pictured with volunteer Dan Defeo, has taken a bite out of the Philadelphia Eagles! Will he be right again? Only time will tell. Stay tuned and let’s see if Hoover has the magic touch!

SEE VIDEO HERE.

*This video has been reposted with permission from Sweetbriar Nature Center.

Pexels photo

By John L. Turner

John Turner

Strolling on a mid-December day to pick up the morning paper at the base of the driveway, I passed by the bird bath and noticed the surface had a thin layer of ice capping a few inches of water underneath, an event about as surprising as the fact gravity held me to the ground as I fetched to get the newspaper. 

Except that a thought I had not had for a very long time suddenly flashed to mind, from something I read in a middle school Earth Science textbook, a thought about a concept that is remarkably consequential — if ice wasn’t lighter than water but rather denser, life might not have ever gotten a foothold on planet Earth or if it did, it might have happened later and in a much more limited fashion geographically speaking.   

As water cools it becomes denser so water closer to a freezing temperature, say 40 degrees Fahrenheit, is denser than at 80 degree water and 80 degree water is denser than water near its boiling point. The fact the colder water is, the denser it is, is true — but only to a point. Once water falls below 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit it reverses course density wise and becomes less dense as water molecules shift to form a lattice-like structure of spread out interconnected hexagons (six sided) once the water freezes; this lower density explains why ice is always on the surface and why ice cubes and icebergs float.    

If water lacked this chemical quirkiness (in one scientific account characterized as ‘anomalous physical behavior’) and ice was denser than water, when ice formed at the surface from contact with air below 32 degrees, it would sink to the bottom, soon freezing solid the entire water column from bottom to top and everything in between if it stayed cold long enough. 

All turtles, frogs, salamanders, and fish would be frozen along with the much smaller zooplankton that forms the base of the aquatic food chain located in temperate climates. Aquatic mammals such as beavers, muskrats, and otters would struggle mightily to survive. The same would be true for bays, harbors and the shallow portions of oceans, creating profound difficulties for the animals living in the colder portions of the marine realm. 

If ice was denser than water would life ever have evolved on Earth? If so, would it be in the countless forms we see today? Would there have been other evolutionary pathways than the traditionally understood fish to amphibian to reptile to bird and mammal route we have deciphered from genetic evidence and the fossil record? Would you or I  even exist to read and write this article, respectively? 

Fortunately, our world is one in which water behaves oddly, with ice always floating on water, forming a protective layer for the free swimming aquatic life beneath. No matter how cold and bone-chilling the temperature of the air, even in circumstances involving temperatures much below zero (as routinely happens in mountainous areas and the polar regions), the water beneath the ice remains a ‘balmy’ 33 degrees or slightly higher, allowing for life to persist. 

And ice isn’t the only form of frozen water that protects life. Snow does the same.  One foot of snow is enough to keep the soil near 32 degrees despite what the air temperature is above the snow. This insulative value is not surprising given the fact that about 90% of the volume of a freshly fallen blanket of snow is air! 

This allows for small mammals like voles and mice to remain active through the winter, hidden from predators beneath the snow, although a life free from predation is never a guarantee; a fact borne out on a few occasions when I’ve seen both red fox and coyote spring high into the air, arching their backs to gain momentum and focus, coming hard down on the snow with their front paws to punch through the crusty surface layer of snow in pursuit of a vole or mouse it heard below. 

I well remember watching a coyote in a wind-blown, snow-covered farm field in Ontario, north of Ottawa, about thirty winters ago repeatedly pouncing through the snow, eventually catching what looked like to be a meadow vole. 

Snow also enables animals hibernating beneath (called the subnivean zone) to use less energy and worry less about frostbite during this vulnerable time. Snow also protects plants from “frostbite” by preventing the soil from freezing and damaging small roots and rootlets. That’s why snow is referred to as the “poor man’s mulch”! The snow prevents a freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw  cycle which can  push or heave a plant from the soil causing root damage.

And a snow cover benefits human animals and their properties too, by safeguarding underground water lines from freezing since slightly below the snow-covered surface the temperature remains above the freezing point. This might not be true if very cold air can make prolonged contact against a ground that lacks the benefit of a snow blanket.     

Under certain conditions though, snow and ice can prove lethal to plants and animals. The weight of wet snow can break branches and occasionally break or topple trees, especially evergreens whose abundant needled leaves hold snow. Ice forming inside plant and animal cells can be lethal as microscopically small ice shards puncture cell walls. 

The wood frog, a native amphibian that breeds in vernal pools throughout Long Island (vernal pools will be the subject of a Nature Matters column in the Spring of 2025) actually freezes solid in the winter and is able to survive by pumping water out of its cells so they stay protected.  No wonder they are amusingly called ‘frogcicles’! 

If you want to see a wood frog thawing out after a long winter of being frozen but somehow still staying alive, I invite you to look at YouTube videos. 

So there you have it — ice and snow — two substances which can disrupt life in specific situations but lifegiving in a general sense. And since we’re still in the glow of the holiday season, let’s be forever thankful for the unique, life-permitting nature of water molecules. 

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is a naturalist, conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, and Conservation Policy Advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association.

From left, Frankenstein and Catapotumous

Adopt Frankenstein and Catapotumous!                                                                             

This week’s shelter pets are Frankenstein and Catapotumous – Frankie and Cat for short. This inseparable duo arrived at the shelter after their owner, sadly, could no longer care for them. Their deep bond is truly heartwarming, and our greatest wish is to find them a loving home where they can enjoy their golden years together.

Frankenstein is a stunning gray and white domestic shorthair, estimated to be around 17 years young. The senior of the pair, exudes warmth and affection, winning over everyone she meets. Frankie would love nothing more than to be adopted alongside her best friend, Cat. She would do well in a home with older children, other cats, and calm dogs.

Catapotumous, is a gorgeous thirteen -year-old, brown and white, domestic short hair, female tabby.  Her affectionate nature makes her the perfect companion, ready to share her love and playfulness with a loving family. Expect a double dose of purring, lap naps and snuggles while in the company of Cat and her bestie Frankie. Cat would thrive in most home environments, including those with older kids, other cats, and calm dogs.

These two lovely ladies bring double the love and companionship—if you’re looking to add warmth and joy to your home, consider opening your heart to Frankie and Cat. They’re ready to shower their new family with endless love!

If you are interested in meeting  Frankenstein and Catapotumous please fill out an application to schedule time to properly interact with your prospective soul mate in a domestic setting.

All of the felines at the Shelter are current on vaccines and have received a full workup (blood work, Feline HIV & Leukemia tested, physical exam etc) by a board certified Veterinarian.

For more information regarding our rescue animals available for adoption visit:. TownofSmithtownAnimalShelter.com 

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only).  For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Dr. Aleena Zahra/St. Charles Hospital

By Daniel Dunaief

Bird flu, which is a virus that has so far primarily infected animals, has affected a duck farm in Aquebogue.

Amid concerns about transmission, Crescent Duck Farm, which has operated as a family business since 1908, has had to put down close to 100,000 ducks.

At this point, health officials haven’t reported any cases of humans contracting the virus, although the farm, its workers and doctors have been looking out for signs of illness.

Local doctors suggested that the risk to humans from bird flu is limited to those people who have worked with or handled sick birds.

Dr. Adrian Popp, chair of Infection Control at Huntington Hospital/ Northwell Health. File photo

The virus “transmits easily from bird to bird, but so far transmission to humans has not occurred to my knowledge,” Dr. Adrian Popp, chair of Infection Control at Huntington Hospital/ Northwell Health and associate professor of medicine at Hofstra School of Medicine, explained in an email. “There is a theoretical possibility that this can occur, but so far, I think we are safe,” as New York State is monitoring exposed workers.

Doctors urged residents to see a healthcare worker if they have any contact with birds and they develop symptoms such as a fever, conjunctivitis (an eye infection that can include redness or watery eyes), or breathing issues.

“Monitor yourself for 10 days after exposure,” urged Dr. Aleena Zahra, infectious disease physician at St. Charles Hospital. “If you develop any symptoms, seek medical attention.”

The treatment for bird flu, which can affect people in ways that are similar to influenza, is to take tamiflu, which is more effective in the earlier stages of an infection.

“If you’re in contact with an animal that is sick, then that would be a potential risk factor,” added Zahra.

Zahra advised residents to avoid picking up a dead bird in their yard without gloves and other safety measures.

Dr. Sharon Nachmann, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, added that the jump to humans from other animals is rarely happening.

People who have become infected are typically recovering, although one person in Louisiana died from the virus.

Despite the relatively low risk, viruses have the ability to mutate, which could make them more transmissible and more dangerous.

CDC silence

At the same time, local doctors are concerned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped publishing information on infectious diseases.

“This is an unprecedented attack on timely access to reports about transmission of various infectious diseases in the country and worldwide,” Popp explained. “It will lead to delayed prevention measures, poor health care, and potentially allowing infectious disease outbreaks to get out of control.”

Dr. Sharon Nachmann/Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

The CDC has created travel bans in the past, but has not closed its reporting on outbreaks, Nachmann said.

“It’s incredibly stressful,” said Nachmann.

Doctors added that they were missing the bigger picture that might offer important information about the source of an illness and the best possible treatment.

“We want to do the best for our patients. We want to tell them that this is working or that is not working and you need a different medication,” Nachmann said.

For right now, doctors are gathering information from state and local officials, said Zahra.

The CDC typically shares details about the specific type of infections in an area or region, its responsiveness to various treatments and its differential impact on any specific subgroup, such as children.

“It is sad to see how political, partisan measures are used to suppress sharing of scientific information between healthcare professionals,” Popp added.

Doctors are hoping for more and better information before too long.

“All we have now is a stop,” said Nachmann. “We don’t know what happens after the stop.”

Adopt Morris!This week’s featured shelter pet is Morris, a handsome 10-year-old orange tabby available for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

Morris was found as a stray in early January. .His friendliness and ease around people gave caretakers hope that someone would claim him, but sadly, no one came for him.

Morris is an outgoing fella who loves people, which is evident upon making his acquaintance. He will not hesitate to introduce himself, excited to make new friends, especially those fond of being on the receiving end of infinite affection, purring, and cuddling.

Morris is every cat lover’s dream; he allows those around him to enjoy his playfulness, sweet and loving nature. He is very good at letting you know if he needs quiet time when overstimulated. Morris is a perfect gentleman who will bring companionship, joy, and cherished moments to a lucky family’s heart and home.

If you are interested in meeting this sweet boy, please fill out an application to schedule time to properly interact with your prospective soul mate in a domestic setting.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). 

For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Photo from County Executive Romaine's Facebook

 

Suffolk County Police rescued a jogger on Jan. 30 after he got stuck in chest-high mud in the former lake at Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown.

A jogger called 911 at 12:10 p.m. to report he was lost in the park and stuck in chest-high mud in the former lake. The man’s dog wandered onto the mud and as the man was attempting to retrieve the dog, he began to sink. Fourth Precinct officers, Emergency Service Section officers and Aviation Section officers responded.

Aviation Section officers located the man less than 30 minutes later and hovered over the area until officers on the ground reached him. Fourth Precinct Sergeant Katherine Kuzminski and Fourth Precinct Officer Richard Esposito entered the mud and attempted to pull out the man. After several minutes, Officer Esposito successfully pulled him to shore and placed him in his police vehicle to warm him to avoid hypothermia.

The jogger, Kyle Prato, 24, of Medford, was treated at the scene by members of the Nissequogue and Town of Smithtown Fire Departments. His dog, an Australian Shepherd named Stryker, was unharmed.