Mineola Man Admits To Beating, Killing Two Puppies: Report

MINEOLA, NY — A Mineola man accused of fatally beating two puppies and seriously injuring another has agreed to a plea deal, according to Newsday.

Ellie Knoller, 31, admitted to the crimes in Nassau County Court on Monday, pleading guilty to three felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty, the news outlet reported. The plea deal would send him to jail for a year and prohibit him from owning a pet.

Knoller's wife, Jessica Kuncman, was also wrapped up in the incidents, which came to light in 2019. As part of Knoller's plea deal, prosecutors said they'll agree to end the case against Kuncman if she meets certain conditions set by the judge, according to Newsday.

"Three healthy puppies suffered horrific injuries while they were under the care and control of these defendants," former Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in 2019. "Sadly, these animals can't testify about the unconscionable suffering that they endured, but their blunt force and neck trauma injuries tell a gruesome story, and we are committed to seeking justice on their behalf."

According to Singas, the couple adopted a 10- to 12-week-old male Shepherd mix named Tucker from a local pet adoption agency on Feb. 8, 2019. By Feb. 17, the puppy was dead of a ruptured kidney. Singas said that Knoller inflicted blunt-force trauma on the dog that ruptured the dog's kidney, causing it to suffer internal bleeding and die.

On Feb. 18, Singas said that the couple purchased a 10- to 12-week-old male Goldendoodle puppy named Cooper from a breeder in Pennsylvania. On Feb. 20, Singas said that Knoller brought the puppy to Garden City Veterinary Care in cardiac and respiratory arrest. By the time the vet was able to get to the dog, it was already dead.

An examination determined the dog's cause of death to be from a lacerated liver, which authorities say Knoller caused by beating it. The wound caused fatal internal bleeding.

Singas said that the first two incidents came to light after an investigation which was sparked when the couple brought a "lethargic and lifeless" 11-week-old female Goldendoodle puppy named Bella to Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center of Westbury on Feb. 27.

An examination by veterinarians found that Bella had multiple fractured ribs, bruising on her lungs, bleeding behind her eyes, and a broken leg. The dog required surgery, including the insertion of a metal rod.

Singas said that Knoller beat the dog and inflicted the injuries.

Kuncman was charged in this case because Singas said that she failed to take Bella for veterinary care for approximately 15 hours after the puppy first appeared to be in pain, which caused unjustifiable suffering.

Newsday reports that Bella has continued her recovery and has been adopted into a permanent home.

Patch's Alex Costello contributed to this report.