On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at approximately 10:30 PM, the Suffolk County SPCA received a complaint from a concerned citizen regarding a female beating a duck. Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA responded to Hauppauge and were provided videos of the incident that occurred on or about August 26, 2024 at approximately 10:00 AM in a small pond located behind The Greens.
A woman can be seen cruelly and unjustifiably beating a grey and black/brown Mallard type duck with a hard stick-like object in the body, head, and neck area. The woman pursues the duck on land and into the water. It was observed to be deceased shortly after the encounter.
On September 13, 2024 at approximately 10:30 PM in Hauppauge, SPCA Detectives arrested Audrey Zabielski, 73, and charged her with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Zabielski is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on October 3, 2024 at 9:00 am.
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.