Crimes against pets hit home especially hard. Most people can’t imagine harming their beloved cat or dog. And, yet it happens to the horror of everyone.
The Suffolk County SPCA has charged a Central Islip resident with animal cruelty following an investigation into the neglect of a dog from earlier this year.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, announced that Leonard Morelli, 70, of Central Islip, has been charged with ten misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The charges follow a September 2025 incident in which authorities discovered five dogs confined in deplorable conditions inside Morelli's Central Islip home.
The dogs included a male Yorkie mix of undetermined age; a male Jack Russell mix named "Mickey," also of undetermined age; a three- to four-year-old male terrier mix; a two- to four-year-old female terrier mix; and a one- to three-year-old female terrier mix. All of the animals were found suffering from varying degrees of dehydration and or emaciation.
In addition to the surviving dogs, investigators recovered the unidentifiable remains of a sixth dog and partial remains of a seventh dog from the residence. The surviving dogs were surrendered to a local shelter, where they received necessary medical care and will be made available for adoption.
On November 19, 2025, SPCA detectives issued Morelli a Field Appearance Ticket. He is scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on December 9, 2025
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722
SPCA made sure to say that that a criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty