ASPCA Offers $2500 Reward To Catch Kitten Killers

Reward monies continue to accumulate, as the efforts intensify to catch whoever brutally slashed the throats of four kittens in Riverhead last week.

The ASPCA announced Tuesday that it would offer a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case of four newborn kittens that were found with their throats slashed behind a building in Riverhead.

The reward is in addition to the $1,200 being offered by the Suffolk County SPCA, which is leading the investigation.    

Last Tuesday, the kittens were found, their throats brutally slashed, behind Riverhead Brake Svs. on East Main Street in Riverhead.

Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk County SPCA said it appears the kittens were thrown over the fence. 

Francis Bujnicki, owner of the shop, said one of his workmen made the discovery.

"He told me, ''There's something gruesome out there. Their throats were slit."

"This is a truly sickening case of violent abuse, and the heartlessness demonstrated by those responsible is shocking,” said Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group. “While our ultimate hope is that these types of heinous acts never occur, this is a message that cruelty toward animals will not be tolerated in our society. We thank the Suffolk County SPCA for its commitment to finding justice for these four innocent kittens.”  

The ASPCA encourages the public to be vigilant when it comes to reporting suspected animal abuse, and to contact theappropriate authorities that are responsible for investigating and enforcing the anti-cruelty laws in their area.

After calling Riverhead police, who contacted Gross, Bujnicki placed the four kittens gently side by side in a box and buried them.

Gross added that Bujnicki said a prayer for the kittens.

"It was sad," Bujnicki said. "There was no need for whoever did this to hurt them. All they wanted was to be fed and cuddled."

Bujnicki, who already feeds a big orange stray he's named Tom, said he would have cared for the kittens, too. "What's four more?"

Gross and police canvassed Riverhead Friday, putting up posters and asking for information.

The Riverhead community, Gross said, is "enraged," and has come together to help. 

"It was horrible," Gross said, of the kittens.

The suspect is facing felony charges with penalties of up to two years in prison, per kitten, or a total of eight years behind bars, Gross said. 

"There's no excuse in the world for this," Gross said. 

"Whoever did this needs help," Bujnicki added.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.