Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
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Friday, May 24, 2019
Vol. 68, No. 21
BEST OF THE N. SHORE NOMINEES
DEER HUNTING IN O. WESTBURY
MEMORIAL DAY GUIDE
PAGES 39-58
PAGE 3
PAGES 25-26, 71-72
Mineola couple charged in 2 puppies’ deaths
H E A LT H C A R E F O R U M
Man faces up to 2 years in jail for killing, torturing dogs, abusing 3rd BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN A Mineola man killed two puppies just days after getting them, according to the Nassau County district attorney’s office, and his wife allegedly allowed the abuse and neardeath of a third puppy. Ellie Knoller, 29, of Mineola, is charged with three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals – an E felony – and three counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, an Agrade misdemeanor. His wife, Jessica Kuncman, 30, also known as Jessica Knoller, faces one charge of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals. Ellie Knoller, if convicted on the top count, faces up of two years in jail. Kuncman faces a maximum of one year in jail. Both have pleaded not guilty. “Three healthy puppies suffered horrific injuries while they were under the care and control of these defendants,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. “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.” Knoller reportedly adopted a 10-to-12-week-old shepherd mix named Tucker on Feb. 8 from a local pet adoption agency. Nine days later the puppy died from kidney rupture, likely of blunt force trauma that led to extensive internal bleeding, prosecutors said. A day later, prosecutors alleged that Knoller and his wife purchased a brown Goldendoodle puppy named Cooper from a Pennsylvania breeder. Two days later, prosecutors said the dog was taken to Garden City Veterinary Care in cardiac and respiratory arrest. Cooper’s death was determined to be from a lacerated liver, which prosecutors alleged stemmed from blunt force trauma that led to extensive, fatal internal bleeding. Continued on Page 82
PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN
Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling discussed the state of health care at a forum last Thursday night. See story on page 6.
NYU Winthrop CEO to step down after decade BY T E R I W EST NYU Winthrop Hospital CEO John F. Collins will retire from his position this year after leading the institution for a decade, the hospital announced last Thursday.
NYU Winthrop’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joseph Greco, will become senior vice president and executive director upon Collins’ Nov. 30 retirement. Collins has been at NYU Winthrop since 1997, when he started
as its vice president and chief financial officer. Ten years later, he became the chief operating officer before being promoted to executive vice president and later president and CEO. Continued on Page 83
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