March 3, 2016 - The Suffolk County SPCA is seeking information from the public to help identify the individual(s) responsible for hanging an 8 month old pitbull mix from a tree in a wooded area near Martha and Bellport Avenues, The Suffolk County SPCA is seeking information from the public to help identify the individual(s) responsible for hanging an 8 month old pitbull mix from a tree in a wooded area near Martha and Bellport Avenues, Bellport

Roy Gross, Chief of the

, said that on February 29, 2016 we received a call from Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter that they were notified that a tri color female Pitbull mix was found hanging from a tree. The shelter picked up the deceased dog and contacted us.

Suffolk County SPCA Detectives are investigating this heinous act of animal cruelty. A necropsy was performed indicating blunt force trauma. Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. We urge anyone with information to contact us so that we are able to bring the individual(s) responsible for this alleged crime to justice. Gross said "unfortunately any individual that can do something of this nature is capable of a committing a more horrific crime. There is a strong correlation between animal abuse, domestic violence and child abuse."

Under NYS law any person who intentionally kills a companion animal can be facing felony cruelty animal charges.

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