Suffolk Family's Cat Beheaded, $1K Reward Offered

CENTEREACH, NY — A Centereach family's cat was found decapitated Monday morning and the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Around 6:30 a.m., the family found their beloved cat headless in the middle of their Oak Street backyard. Pepper was a black and tan female and semi-feral. Her head wasn't in the yard. A veterinarian determined the injury was likely caused by a sharp tool rather than by animal attack, the SPCA said. The cat was also beaten, as X-rays showed trauma to the chest and broken ribs, authorities said.

Pepper was last seen alive between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, when she was fed on the back steps of the home, according to the SPCA.

Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, said animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. Whoever killed Pepper faces a felony aggravated animal cruelty charge, which could result in up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine, he said.

"This animal appears to have been tortured and killed," Gross told Patch, calling it a "heinous act of animal cruelty."

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. Callers can remain anonymous.