SPCA: Body Of Puppy Found Hanging From Tree In Bellport

BELLPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A $6,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction after a dead pit bull mix puppy was found hanging from a tree in Bellport.

The dog's body was discovered on Feb. 29 in a wooded area near Martha and Bellport Avenues.

The Suffolk County SPCA said it received a called from the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter about the 8-month-old, tri-color female puppy. A necropsy performed on the dog indicated blunt force trauma, the SPCA said.

Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross called it "a barbaric act of animal cruelty."

"We find it so disturbing that someone could do something like this to an innocent animal," he told 1010 WINS.  "We feel they are not only a danger to animals, but they are a danger to society -- it is a known fact that people who hurt animals hurt people and we feel this person needs to be taken off the street. Whoever is responsible for this act is facing felony animal cruelty charges."

The Suffolk County SPCA and Guardians of Rescue are each offering $3,000 in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.  All calls will be kept confidential.