Nassau SPCA: Dog seriously injured by stray bullet
Nassau County SPCA is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for seriously injuring this dog, which they say was struck by a stray bullet in Roosevelt. Credit: Nassau County SPCA
Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward — and, trying to raise $10,000 in donations for medical expenses — after a dog named Zeus was shot and wounded earlier this month by a stray bullet while out for a walk in Roosevelt, the Nassau County SPCA said.
The incident occurred July 16, the SPCA said.
TThe SPCA said the dog's owner had arrived home from work and taken Zeus out for a walk when he heard "unknown parties arguing" followed by "what sounded like several pops."
Soon, Zeus was "whimpering" and bleeding from his leg, the SPCA said.
The dog was taken to a veterinarian, who said the injuries were "consistent with a possible gunshot wound," the SPCA said.
On Monday, Nassau SPCA Board President Gary Rogers announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person — or, persons — responsible for wounding Zeus.
Rogers also said that the "serious injuries" Zeus sustained to his foot have left him unable to walk and that the SPCA is now seeking donations to fund the surgery needed to get the dog back on its feet again. It's been estimated the surgery will cost more than $10,000, the SPCA said in its statement. The SPCA said it's possible Zeus could lose his leg without the surgery, which is needed to help him "be able to run again."
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the SPCA at 516-THE-SPCA. You can also access information at nassaucountyspca.org.
Specific information about Zeus can be found at zeus.ncspca.us.
"We take animal crimes very serious, rewards have been effective for us in the past," Rogers said, adding, "We are hopeful that it will encourage someone to come forward."
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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