Hauppauge, NY – A beloved pet cat is at the center of a shocking act of cruelty that Suffolk County officials say was no accident—an intentional shooting that left the 12-year-old feline paralyzed and clinging to life.
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney is set to announce the arrest of an individual in connection with the targeted shooting of a cat named Coco, which occurred around 4:15 a.m. on August 15 in Mastic Beach. Coco’s owners and the now-disabled cat will join Tierney at the District Attorney’s office in Hauppauge this afternoon as the details of the disturbing case are revealed.
Coco, a family pet for over a decade, was found bleeding and immobile after a single gunshot wound to its spine, leaving its hind legs paralyzed. The shooting has outraged the local community and prompted a swift investigation into what officials are calling a deliberate act of animal cruelty.
The cat’s injuries were so severe that it required immediate emergency veterinary surgery, and it continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation and treatment. Coco’s care has generated more than $16,000 in veterinary expenses to date, with costs continuing to rise as the feline requires specialized ongoing medical attention.
Tierney is expected to provide further details at a 3 p.m. press conference, including the identity of the suspect, potential charges, and how the investigation led to the arrest.