Reward Up To $5,200 In Riverhead Kitten Killings

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The reward has risen to $5,200 for an arrest and conviction in connection with the slaying of four kittens whose bodies were found at a brake shop on Long Island.

On Oct. 1, the newborn kittens were found with their throats slashed at the brake shop on Main Street in Riverhead, Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Chief Roy Gross told WCBS 880.

"These are four little, defenseless kittens – three of which the eyes weren't even open yet, so they didn't see the light of the world yet – and these innocent little kittens, their throats slashed, and tossed over a fence at a break shop," Gross said.

The black and gray striped kittens were smaller than a human hand, Gross told Newsday.

"We have one main investigator working full time on this case right now; others as well," Gross told WCBS 880. "We find this is a heinous act of animal cruelty for these innocent animals."

Gross said the reward has increased to $5,200, with many law enforcement agencies and private companies chipping in.

"We initially put out $1,000, and then the Manhattan-based SPCA kicked in $2,500 they offered for the reward. We brought our reward up, and then the owner of the Riverhead Brake Center added $200 to the reward, so it's up to $5,200 at this point," he said.

The person or people responsible for killing the kittens could face charges of aggravated animal cruelty, which is punishable by a term of up to two years in prison, Gross told Newsday.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA confidentially at (631) 382-7722.

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