Cat Abandoned In Bay Shore 'Doing Okay' After Surgery: SPCA

BOHEMIA, NY — A black tomcat named "Rocky" that was abandoned in a known dumping area near the old Town Of Islip animal shelter in Bay Shore back in July is doing okay after surgery, the Suffolk SPCA said Monday.

Detectives have charged two Bohemia women, a 43-year-old and a 69-year-old, with one count each of abandonment and conspiracy, both misdemeanors, for abandoning the six-year-old cat around 4 p.m. on July 10, at the end of South Denver Avenue within a few hundred feet of the defunct shelter, which was replaced with a new building several years ago, Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

The pair was stopped by a good Samaritan, a cat rescuer feeding a cat colony, who contacted the SPCA and has since been caring for the cat, which underwent surgery on Aug. 17, according to Gross.

"Rocky" had several broken teeth, had bumps from tick bites, and needed an eye removed due to an infection, Gross said.

There is no indication that the cat was beaten, according to Gross.

"We don't know how long these people had to cat or what the circumstances are behind it," Gross said. "But in any event, even if they had the cat only for a week and they found it that week, they have no right to abandon it, so it doesn't make a difference to own the cat for six years, or if they had the cat for six days."

Once "Rocky" is better, the pet rescuer will release him for adoption.

Gross credited her quick-thinking actions in confronting the women and taking the license plate of their car.

"She's a hero," he said. "She really stepped up to the plate.

The two women were arrested on Sunday by SPCA detectives and they are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip, on Sept. 15, Gross said. If convicted, they could ordered to pay a fine or up to $1,000 and/or serve up to a year in jail, he said.

Chief Gross said animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk. If you witness animal cruelty or neglect in the county, contact the SPCA at 631-382-7722.