SPCA: 3 decapitated newborn kittens found in Ronkonkoma

Calling it "a vicious, heinous act" of animal cruelty, authorities are trying to determine who decapitated three newborn kittens -- leaving them to be found Wednesday on a street in Ronkonkoma.

The chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, Roy Gross, said Friday the discovery was made in the 2200 block of Fifth Avenue by a woman who "cares for feral cat colonies."

The kittens were estimated to be about 5 days old and Gross said their bodies were found "lined up next to each other" with "very little" blood found at the discovery site.

Noting that studies have show acts of animal violence can be a precursor to violence against humans, Gross said: "This is a vicious, heinous act of animal cruelty and how anyone could do this to these kittens is beyond reason."

Anyone with information regarding the crime is being asked to call the SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will remain confidential, Gross said.

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.”