State Police: Animal remains found near Southern State ramp

A report of a foul smell coming from bags dumped along an entrance ramp to the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead led to the discovery of what appears to be animal remains, the State Police said Thursday.

Troopers were notified by the Department of Transportation of “a foul smell” coming from “several bags” found midmorning on the ramp leading from southbound Hempstead Avenue to the westbound Southern State, Exit 17, on the border of West Hempstead and Malverne Parks Oaks, State Police spokesman Trooper Frank Bandiero said.

An investigation by troopers determined the bags contained animal remains, Bandiero said.

State Police could not immediately say what kind of animals — or how many — were in the bags.

It was also not immediately clear who left the bags or when they had been placed on the ramp.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

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.”