Cat fatally shot in Hicksville, reward offered

The Nassau County SPCA is offering a $6,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the individual who shot and killed a cat in Hicksville.

Stella, an 11-year-old feline, was let out early the morning of Sept. 1 by her family and did not return that evening, as was typical, according to SPCA president Gary Rogers.

Stella's family searched for her all weekend and found her on Sunday, whimpering in distress under a bush near their home, he said. 

The cat, which was shot twice — once in the lung and once in the leg — was rushed to an emergency veterinarian where she later succumbed to her injuries, Rogers said.

"Some people don't want cats on their property for whatever reason," Rogers said. "And they take measures that really are inappropriate."

Another concern, he said, is that animal cruelty can be a precursor to other more serious violent crimes.

"Crimes like this often escalate to other things," Rogers said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Nassau SPCA at 516-843-7722.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.