Father, son arrested for animal cruelty; 26 cats seized in Islip
Suffolk County Police arrested a father and son for multiple counts of animal cruelty after
more than two dozen cats were found in hoarding conditions at their residence in Islip on Jan. 17.
Suffolk County Police Third Precinct Crime Section officers responded to the home on Lake St. in Islip
following reports of animal cruelty. Officers observed several loose cats outside the residence and
noticed a strong ammonia odor coming from inside the residence.
The cats inside the residence were overcrowded, with sparse food and no water. Investigators seized five
cages and two containers containing 26 cats. The cats were brought to the Islip Animal Shelter for
evaluation.
Following an investigation, Gary Verga, 72, and Daniel Verga, 39, were arrested on January 17 at
approximately 7:20 p.m. They were each charged with ten counts of Failing to Provide Proper
Sustenance to an Animal and ten counts of Failing to Provide Proper Food and Drink to an Impounded
Animal, under the Agriculture and Markets Law. They were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are
scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on January 19.
Third Precinct Crime Section officers were assisted by the Biological Environmental Animal Safety
Team (BEAST), the Islip Town Fire Marshal, Islip Town Building Inspector, Islip Town HAZMAT and
the Islip Fire Department.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
