Reward offered for info on swan shot with an arrow

The Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot an arrow through a swan found in Riverhead.

The swan was found by a kayaker near Indian Island County Park on Friday, July 22, and it is recovering at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays. That center also holds a box turtle found in East Hampton last week with a nail hammered through its shell.

The arrow was removed, but the bird is unable walk due to possible nerve damage.

The adult mute swan was struck by a hunting arrow, said Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross.

“It was not a toy by any means,” he said of the weapon.

He called the attack “very disturbing. This was somebody going out of their way to hurt and animal. And it’s been proven that people who hurt animals hurt people.”

Chief Gross said the SPCA will pursue charges against whomever shot the swan, and added that animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

Anyone with information can contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.  All calls will be kept confidential.