Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the arrest of Munim Raghid, 26, from Ronkonkoma on January 2, 2025. The arrest was made by the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST). Raghid faces one count of animal cruelty and four counts of criminal contempt in the second degree. Previously charged with animal cruelty in December 2024 for neglecting a Kangal Shepherd to alleged emaciation, Raghid was under a court order prohibiting him from possessing animals during prosecution. Despite this, BEAST investigators reportedly found him with three additional Kangal Shepherds, including two puppies.
District Attorney Tierney stated, “I created my BEAST investigative team for a reason. We will pursue every act of animal cruelty reported to us and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
The investigation began when a Good Samaritan found an injured puppy on New Year's Eve lying on a roadway. The puppy appeared to have been hit by a car and was unable to use its legs. It was taken to Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists where severe injuries were diagnosed. The Samaritan attempted to identify the owner by knocking on nearby doors and discovered that the adjacent house belonged to Raghid.
Raghid allegedly retrieved the injured puppy from the veterinary center against medical advice despite being under court orders not to possess animals due to another pending prosecution. On New Year’s Day, BEAST investigators went to Raghid's home but were initially denied access; they returned with a search warrant and reportedly recovered three animals including the injured puppy.
The injured puppy allegedly did not receive veterinary care for its fractured pelvis and leg fractures which require extensive surgery. For these actions, Raghid is charged with one count of animal cruelty as a class A misdemeanor for allowing suffering without adequate care and four counts of criminal contempt in violation of Judge Zuckerman’s order.
Raghid surrendered both puppies at seizure time; they are available for adoption through Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter though one requires significant rehabilitative surgery first.