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Mastic man arrested after allegedly shooting a cat twice

The cat's name is Coco and he's almost 12 years old. His back legs are now paralyzed after being shot twice.

Julia Rosier

Aug 27, 2025, 5:57 PM

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Police arrested the man accused of shooting a cat in Mastic Beach earlier this month.

John Lettieri, 53, of Mastic is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal mischief after allegedly shooting a cat.

The cat's name is Coco and he's almost 12 years old.

His back legs are now paralyzed after being shot twice.

Officials say Lettieri allegedly shot Coco from a moving vehicle.

Coco's owner, Melissa Violam told News 12 it's all been heartbreaking and difficult for them.

They say they are doing everything they can for Coco, including ordering him a wheelchair for mobility and therapies.

"We need to help our not only our animal victims, but the human victims who support them and the families who support the animals," says Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

There is a video of this incident that has not been released by investigators and that's the only resource police had that led them to arrest Lettieri.

Officials say if anyone else has any video of this incident to call the DA's office.

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