Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA, assisted by officers from the Suffolk County Police Department, charged a Fire Island man with failing to provide food, water and shelter for his dog that was discovered to be left alone in the heat and in distress.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Adrian Vazquez, 43, of Fire Island, New York, with two misdemeanor charges and a violation, for failing to provide proper food, water and shelter for a white retriever dog named "Nova" in his care and custody. Vazquez had left his dog outdoors for at least five hours confined to an outdoor house deck, which had no shade, and without access to any food, water or shelter. The temperature was approximately 71 degrees, and it was a humid, sunny day with an air quality alert in effect. The dog, which was in direct sunlight, was found to be in distress, panting heavily, lying down, moving very little and had sunken eyes with red rashes around the eyes.
Vazquez, who also had an outstanding arrest warrant on an unrelated matter, was arrested on June 30, 2023, and processed by SPCA detectives and the Suffolk County Police at the Suffolk County Police Department, Third Precinct, and held for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip.
Chief Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Suffolk County SPCA, established in 1984, is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization and the voice for animals in Suffolk County. We are not affiliated with, a subdivision of the ASPCA or funded by any other local, state or national humane organization. We rely strictly on donations. Please help us to provide a better life for pets and other animals in Suffolk County.