SPCA Now Offering $8,500 Reward For Info In Death Of Montauk Seagull

MONTAUK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County SPCA has increased its reward offer for information on who killed a seagull in Montauk last month.

Officials at the group are now offering an $8,500 reward -- up from $1,000 -- as they continue to find out who threw rocks and killed the bird on eastern Long Island on July 23.

Suffolk County SPCA head Roy Gross says a man, believe to be a guest at the Royal Atlantic Hotel, was observed luring seagulls with bread. Gross said the suspect threw a rock the size of a brick at one of the seagulls and it began throwing up blood and bread.

Gross said a woman walking along the beach captured the incident on video.

A number of instances of animal cruelty have been seen in Suffolk County in recent weeks, including a swan that was impaled with an arrow and a turtle that had a nail in it's shell.

Anyone with information can contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.

What do you believe is behind the recent string of animal cruelty in Suffolk County?  Share your thoughts in the comments section...