(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that John Kowal, 57, of Manorville, and owner of Blue Ribbon Puppies, was arrested for misdemeanor animal neglect after New York State inspectors allegedly found numerous issues related to the welfare of 23 dogs and puppies.
“The conditions that these dogs and puppies are alleged to have endured at the hands of the defendant are unacceptable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “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. I thank the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for their investigation and collaboration in this case, and for its continued partnership in helping to protect the welfare of animals in Suffolk County.”
According to court documents, on February 24, 2026, inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets conducted an unannounced visit at Kowal’s property in Manorville, where he allegedly operates his business “Blue Ribbon Puppies.” Kowal allegedly breeds and sells various dog breeds. When Kowal brought the inspectors to a facility on his property where he allegedly keeps the dogs and puppies that he bred and sold, the inspectors saw snow obstructing access to the building indicating to them that no one had visited the dogs inside for at least 48 hours. Kowal then allegedly shoveled a path in the snow for the inspectors to access the facility. Inspectors allegedly saw 23 dogs and puppies living in indoor and outdoor kennels within the facility.
During the inspection, the inspectors observed several issues which they deemed “critical” and needed to be rectified including an accumulation of feces, frozen water, insufficient space that restricted the animals’ movements, and that the temperature in the building was not adequately regulated to protect the animals from extreme cold. After noting the low temperature, Kowal allegedly turned on the heat inside the facility. Approximately one hour later, inspectors determined the indoor kennel temperature rose to only 43 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, inspectors determined that numerous dogs and puppies had allegedly not received their required rabies vaccines, several did not have proper licensing, exercise plans were not properly documented or implemented, and Kowal had allegedly failed to treat sick or injured animals in accordance with a written veterinary care plan.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets alerted the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) to the alleged violations identified during their inspection. On March 9, 2026, BEAST detectives, with the assistance of the Riverhead Town Police Department, executed a search warrant at Kowal’s property, and sought veterinary care for several of the animals.
On March 11, 2026, Kowal was arraigned on 23 counts of misdemeanor animal neglect before Judge Lori M. Hulse in Riverhead Town Justice Court. Kowal was released because the charges are considered non-bail eligible, meaning that prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
Kowal is due back in court on March 24, 2026, and was represented by the Legal Aid Society for his arraignment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Megan Gallagher and Brooke Salvatore of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), and the investigation was conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney’s Squad.
