Ellie Knoller and his wife were arrested in 2019 in what the Nassau District Attorney calls one of the worst animal abuse cases they have seen.
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"The internal injuries these animals sustained are uncommon - even in animal abuse cases - and are consistent with terrifying blunt force trauma," District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.
Officials say that on Feb. 8, 2019, Knoller adopted a 10-12-week-old male Shepherd mix from a local animal selter and a little over a week later, the puppy died of a kidney rupture.
Knoller inflicted blunt force trauma that caused internal bleeding to the defenseless pup.
The abuse unfortunately did not stop there. A few days after the Shepherd puppy's death, Knoller adopted a 10-12-week-old male Goldendoodle from a breeder.
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Just two days later, the puppy went into respiratory and cardiac arrest. Knoller had once again inflicted blunt force trauma, which resulted in the puppy dying from a lacerated liver.
Officials say these incidents only came to light after Knoller brought an 11-week-old female Goldendoodle to the vet a week later. The pup had multiple fractured ribs, bruising on her lungs, and a broken leg, among other things.
In March 2022, Knoller pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. His heinous acts resulted in a year-long jail sentence, as well as five years of probation and a 50-year ban on owning animals.
DA Donnelly said New York' State's animal crime laws need to be strengthened, as Knoller's maximum sentence was two years in jail.
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