Manorville Pet Dealer Faces 23 Animal Neglect Charges at Puppy Business

When state inspectors arrived unannounced at Blue Ribbon Puppies on Feb. 24, snow was blocking the entrance to the building where John Kowal kept his dogs. It had been there long enough, investigators concluded, that no one had visited the animals for at least 48 hours.

Inside, they found frozen water in the dogs' bowls, an accumulation of feces, and living quarters so cramped the animals could not move freely. The heat was off. When Kowal turned it on during the inspection, the temperature inside climbed only to 43 degrees Fahrenheit. State inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets documented seven critical violations of minimum standards of care and two general violations under Section 401 of the state's Agriculture and Markets Law, including seven dogs without licenses, exercise plans not properly documented, and records not maintained for all animals.

Kowal, 57, who operates the River Road puppy business as a state-licensed pet dealer, was arraigned March 11 in Riverhead Town Justice Court on 23 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect. The charges, filed by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney's Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, allege Kowal violated Section 356 of the Agriculture and Markets Law by failing to provide confined animals with wholesome air, food, shelter, and water for more than 12 successive hours. Each count carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Kowal has failed five previous state inspections in the past three years, according to court records.

The case's procedural path was not straightforward. Kowal was arrested and released on field appearance tickets on March 9, when the BEAST unit, Riverhead Town Police, Suffolk County police, and Suffolk County Animal Control officers executed a search warrant at 58 River Road and spent several hours on the property. Barking from the facility was audible from the street. Authorities seized several animals to provide veterinary care. Kowal was due in court the following day but did not appear, prompting Riverhead Town Justice Lori Hulse to issue an arrest warrant before his March 11 arraignment.

At that arraignment, the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society represented Kowal. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance, as the misdemeanor charges are not bail-eligible. Judge Hulse ordered pretrial supervision by the Suffolk County Probation Department beginning March 12. Kowal is due back in court March 24 with a private attorney.

Inspectors also found that several dogs had not received required rabies vaccines, some lacked proper licensing, and sick or injured animals had not been treated in accordance with a written veterinary care plan. According to BEAST unit filings, 26 dogs were on the premises when the search warrant was executed March 9.

"The conditions that these dogs and puppies are alleged to have endured at the hands of the defendant are unacceptable," District Attorney Tierney said. "Individuals who choose to breed and sell animals must ensure that the animals are provided with proper care including food, water, shelter, and veterinary care."

The BEAST unit was established by Tierney in April 2022 specifically to prosecute animal and environmental crimes in Suffolk County. Kowal is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.