LI Man Accused Of Trapping Cat, Abandoning It At Supermarket: SPCA

ISLIP, NY — An Islip man is accused of trapping a cat and then abandoning the cat at the supermarket, the Suffolk County SPCA said.

SPCA detectives charged Michael Vitucci, Jr., 67, with trapping a male black cat from near his trailer park home on Main Street in Islip on or about February 9, officials said.

Vitucci Jr. the transported the cat and released it at a Shop Rite Supermarket located on Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore, the SPCA said.

On Friday, Vitucci Jr. was charged by SPCA detectives with abandonment, a misdemeanor, the SPCA said; he is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on March 7.

In addition, Suffolk County SPCA detectives are canvassing the area looking for another black cat that is also missing from Main Street in Islip, possibly in connection with the case, officials said. The cat owner continues to search for his "beloved cat" Clyde, the SPCA said.

Anyone who witnesses any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.