Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA have charged a Kings Park woman with alleged animal cruelty and abandonment charges.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Hanchao Zhang, 37, on misdemeanor animal cruelty alleging that she abandoned her male one year old labrador mix puppy named Cola at Sunken Meadow State Park on April 14.
New York State Park Rangers who discovered the dog after being abandoned without food, water, or shelter in a semi wooded area of the park. The dog was transported to the Smithtown Animal Shelter and is now up for adoption. Read more about Cola here.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R – 18th L.D.) sponsored a resolution titled “Adopting Local Law No. -2025, A Local Law to Further Protect Animals from Persons Convicted of an Animal Abuse Crime.” The resolution was unanimously passed at the Legislature’s General Meeting on April 8th at the Legislature.
This local law amends the Suffolk County Code to establish a misdemeanor penalty for individuals on the convicted animal abuser registry who are found to be owning animals in violation of Suffolk County Code Sec. 229-28(F).
In 2010, the Suffolk County Legislature enacted legislation to create the animal abuse registry, one of the first of its kind in the United States. Any Suffolk County resident aged 18 or older who is convicted of animal abuse is required to register their name, address, and photo with the registry. The registry is maintained on the Suffolk County Police website. Individuals must remain on the registry for 10 years and are prohibited from owning animals during this period.
The Suffolk County SPCA approached Legislator Bontempi to request this code amendment, highlighting a loophole in the current County code. The code did not impose any penalties on individuals listed on the Animal Abuse Registry, who were found to possess animals in violation of the County code. By passing this local law to strengthen the code, any individual who is required to register and is found to possess an animal in violation of section 229-28(F) will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and will face penalties associated with that class of crime.
“We often hear about cases of animal abuse in the news, and it’s sickening to witness. Animals cannot advocate for themselves, so our elected officials must speak up on their behalf. In Suffolk County, we will not tolerate the abuse or neglect of animals. By closing this loophole, we will ensure that those who disregard the law face consequences,” said Leg. Bontempi.
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.
On November 5, 2024, a male bully mix with brindle coloring was brought to the Smithtown Animal Shelter with extensive injuries, including what appeared to be chemical burns and infected wounds. Named “Meatloaf” by the shelter staff, the dog was found wandering on Croft Lane near Creek Road in Smithtown.
A Good Samaritan found the injured dog and dropped him off at the Smithtown Animal Shelter for care. Unfortunately Meatloaf injuries were too extreme so he did not survive.
The Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this heinous act of animal cruelty.
SPCA detectives are actively investigating this case and urge anyone with information about Meatloaf’s injuries or the circumstances that led to his condition and ultimate death to come forward.
If you have any information, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. Reports can be made anonymously.
The Suffolk County SPCA reminds the public that intentional harm to animals is against the law in New York. Together, we can ensure that justice is served and prevent further acts of cruelty against animals in our community.
Chief Gross emphasized that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County: “If you witness any act of animal cruelty or neglect, please report it immediately to the Suffolk County SPCA. Together, we can ensure justice for these innocent animals.”
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
If you have any information, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
One of the dogs rescued from the East Patchogue home. Photo from Suffolk County SPCA
Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA have charged an East Patchogue woman with animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person after the execution of a search warrant on her residence.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Martha Gillette, 53, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that Gillette neglected nine canines in her care by failing to provide a safe and clean environment.
Upon executing a search warrant in the morning of January 11, detectives found the home the dogs were confined inside had noxious air and odor of feces, urine, and ammonia were so pungent it made SPCA personal cough and gag upon entry and stung their eyes. The dogs found indoors had no access to water and were in an overcrowded, small pen. The conditions inside were materially harmful to the mental, emotional, and physical well being of a vulnerable adult living in the home under Gillette’s care.
Gillette was arrested on the same day, booked at the Suffolk County Police Department 5th Precinct and released. The residence has since been placarded as unsafe for occupancy by Brookhaven Town Code Officials. Gillette is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip, on January 31st , 2025. The dogs are being socialized.
Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.
On November 14, the Suffolk County SPCA was notified of a tragic discovery: a backpack containing the severely emaciated remains of a deceased French or English bulldog, estimated to be between six months and one year old. The backpack was found on Miller Place-Yaphank Road, north of Whiskey Road in the woods in Miller Place.
The Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this heinous act of animal cruelty. SPCA Detectives are actively canvassing the area for witnesses or information related to this crime. The New York State Humane Association has pledged an additional $1,000 reward.
An anonymous donor has generously added $1,000 to the reward increasing the the total to $5,000.
Chief Roy Gross emphasized that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County: “If you witness any act of animal cruelty or neglect, please report it immediately to the Suffolk County SPCA. Together, we can ensure justice for these innocent animals.”
If you have any information, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have charged a Middle Island woman with animal cruelty after the execution of a search warrant on her residence.
Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross stated that that its detectives charged Kathleen O’Brien, 63, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that O’Brien neglected her five-year-old Labrador type dog by failing to provide a safe and clean environment.
Photo from Suffolk County SPCA
Upon executing a search warrant in the evening of December 11, detectives found the dog confined inside the home that had garbage, filth, grime, hundreds of dead flies, feces, and urine strewn about. The noxious air and odor of urine, ammonia, rot, feces, and food were so pungent it made SPCA personal cough and gag upon entry and stung their eyes. The dog had large areas of missing fur, red irritated skin, open sores around the ears, overgrown nails, and a difficult time walking once on flat ground outside the debris filled home. The interior had garbage and clutter piled over five feet high in spaces the dog had to crawl over. Filthy food and water bowls were noted inside.
O’Brien was arrested on December 13 at Stony Brook University Hospital and released. The residence has since been placarded as unsafe for occupancy by Brookhaven Town Code Officials. The dog is healing at a local animal shelter. O’Brien is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on December 27.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged a Hauppauge woman with animal cruelty on Dec. 15 after a lengthy investigation. The announcement was made in a press release on Dec. 18.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Roseanne Lucrezia, 61, with misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that Lucrezia neglected her fourteen-year-old Husky type dog by failing to provide required medical treatment and sustenance resulting in pain.
The dog’s teeth were fractured, rotting, and broken and exhibited signs of significant physical pain upon examination of the mouth by Veterinarians. A malodorous smell indicating poor care was detected from the dog’s mouth. The dog’s body condition was significantly thin with the bones of the spine, ribs, and hips visible.
Lucrezia was arrested on December 15 at her residence, booked at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Precinct, and released. She is scheduled to appear in First District Court In Central Islip on December 27, 2024.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
10 of the dogs were confined to a small bedroom. Photo from Suffolk County SPCA
Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged a Centereach man on Nov. 23 with neglecting to maintain a sanitary environment for his eleven dogs. Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its Detectives charged Christopher DiGiovanna, 42, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that DiGiovanna failed to provide a habitable living environment to the animals in his residence.
Chief Gross stated that on November 23, 2024 on or about 4:30 PM, members of the Suffolk County SPCA, Suffolk County Police Department, Town of Brookhaven Animal Control and Code Enforcement executed a search warrant on DiGiovanna’s Centereach residence after receiving a complaint about the living conditions causing the animals distress.
Eleven dogs were recovered from the residence, some underweight, filthy, flea ridden, ungroomed, and covered in urine. The air was so noxious with ammonia from urine, feces, mold, and mildew that it stung investigators eyes and throats making it difficult to breathe. Fly excrement and cobwebs covered the interior of the home’s walls and ceilings. Rats scurried about inside the broken out portions of the walls and floors. Ten of the dogs were confined to a small bedroom on urine and feces-soaked sheets with live electrical wires exposed, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia strewn about.
At least two of the dog’s upon preliminary examination tested presumptive positive for cocaine exposure. The property was deemed unfit for human occupancy by Code Officials. The dogs will be available for adoption to the public upon medical recovery. DiGiovanna was arrested during the search warrant execution on Nov. 23, booked, and held in police custody on two active arrest warrants for unrelated cases.
DiGiovanna is scheduled to appear in First District Court In Central Islip on November 25.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
After an extensive investigation, Suffolk County SPCA detectives charged a Manorville woman with several counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty on Nov. 1.
Suffolk County SPCA Detectives, with the assistance of Suffolk County Police Department, Brookhaven Town Code Enforcement Officers, Brookhaven Fire Marshal, Brookhaven Animal Control, District Attorney’s Office B.E.A.S.T. Unit, Adult Protective Services and a veterinarian, executed a search warrant on the residence of Judith Seeman, 70, of Manorville.
Pine, Seeman’s three year old black and white female shepherd type dog and Cody, her 4 year brown male shepherd type dog, were confined in a small room with noxious air and the overwhelming odor of urine, rot, ammonia, and feces. The floor had wet and dry urine and feces stains covering it. The floor and walls were covered with dirt, grime, filth, feces, urine, spiderwebs and fly excrement. The air was stagnant and all windows and doors were tightly shut confining the noxious odors inside the small area. There was no food or water nor food or water bowls present in the side room, the walls were broken with wooden studs, exposed, rusty, filthy broken metal cages with strewn about the room with sharp edges, exposed, contrary to the health and well-being of the animals.
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County SPCA
Dokota, the horse, had severely neglected feet that were atrophied, necrotic and emitted a malodorous odor. The stall Dakota was confined to was wet, had little shavings and had wet and dry feces strewn about contrary to required conditions to promote the health and healing of the thrush previously diagnosed to his feet. The available water in Dakota stall was dirty with a film over the top and was murky in color with debris on the bottom of the bucket. The subject was unable to provide the proper care to these animals.
The animals were voluntarily surrendered with the help of 13 Hands Equine Rescue and the Town of Brookhaven Animal Control.
Seeman is scheduled to appear in First District Court In Central Islip on November 21.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
