Suffolk County SPCA Offers $4K Reward in Bellport Goat Decapitation Case

A decapitated goat discovered near the Long Island Expressway overpass in Bellport has drawn a reward that has climbed to as much as $5,000, as the Suffolk County SPCA seeks the public's help identifying whoever carried out what investigators are calling a ritualistic animal sacrifice.

The goat was found dead on March 15, 2026, in what Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk County SPCA described as "a shocking and deeply troubling case of animal cruelty." The Suffolk County SPCA initially posted a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The New York State Humane Association added $1,000, bringing the total to $4,000. The SPCA's own Facebook page later posted an update indicating that Humane Long Island had contributed an additional $1,000, raising the combined reward to $5,000, though published media reports have continued to cite the earlier $4,000 figure.

"We are urging anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area or who has any information to come forward," Gross said. "The public's assistance is critical in helping us bring those responsible to justice."

Authorities described the decapitation as particularly gruesome and said the act appears consistent with ritualistic animal sacrifice. The SPCA also stressed that scenes like this one are not always encountered first by adults: "All too many times these gruesome finds are discovered not only by adults but occasionally by children."

No arrests have been announced and no suspect descriptions have been released. The investigation remains open, and the Suffolk County SPCA is asking anyone with information about this incident or any other ritualistic acts of animal cruelty to call 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.