DANIEL J. KOWALCZYK accused of causing the death of a dog by leaving him in a hot vehicle

- New York, USA -

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office reports that on November 12, 2025, 29-year-old DANIEL J. KOWALCZYK (pictured), was arraigned before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice John J. Wanat on one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals’ failure to provide proper sustenance.

According to the press release by DA Michael J. Keane, on the afternoon of September 16, 2025, the Cheektowaga Police Department responded to a parking lot on the 2500 block of Walden Avenue for a report of a deceased dog.

On arrival, in KOWALCZYK’s vehicle, officers discovered a deceased 3-year-old Bulldog named Goon. Goon was found inside a cage in the rear cargo of the vehicle where he had been left for more than an hour.

A necropsy performed on Goon revealed that he died “from heatstroke due to impaired thermal regulation”, stated the release.

KOWALCZYK is not behind bars. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. KOWALCZYK is scheduled to return for further proceedings on February 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

According to the DA's office, at the request of its prosecutor, the Court imposed a securing order that prohibits KOWALCZYK from “owning”, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office pointed out in the press release that as are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

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DEANDRE J. ROGERS pleaded guilty to injuring a defenseless Chihuahua unable to call for help

- New York, USA -

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that on November 14, 2025, 30-year-old DEANDRE J. ROGERS (pictured), pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of attempted aggravated cruelty to animals before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek.

According to the press release by the DA’s Office, during the early morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025, “the defendant intentionally hit a dog while inside of a residence on the 200 block of Geary Street in the City of Buffalo.”

The furvictim, an approximately 9-year-old female Chihuahua named Bella, was taken to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Cheektowaga where veterinarians treated her for skull fractures and other serious physical injuries. Bella was later placed in the care of the SPCA serving Erie County for rehabilitation.

ROGERS was arrested on June 20, 2025.

ROGERS remains free as after the plea hearing, he was released on his own recognizance.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and as stated in the press release, the DA’s Office will request that the Court impose a lifetime securing order that prohibits ROGERS “from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals.”

As for Bella, following her recovery, she was adopted by a new family.  

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

ROGERS’ mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

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ERNEST JOSEPH PFEIFER gifted with probation for abandoning his sick cat

- Florida, USA -

On Thursday, November 13, 2025, 57-year-old ERNEST JOSEPH PFEIFER (pictured), appeared in Collier County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to one count of confinement/abandonment of animals.

According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, on August 29, 2024, PFEIFER drove from Miami to Everglades City and “abandoned his 4-year-old Maine Coon named Shona in a locked carrier without food or water.”

When Shona was found, she was wearing a protective cone around her head and bottles of medication were found inside the carrier.

Thankfully, the person who found Shona did not look the other way and reached out for help. At the time, the county animal shelter was closed due to a quarantine, so SNIP Collier intervened and provided care and treatment for Shona.

The sheriff’s office launched an investigation, and a warrant was issued for PFEIFER’s arrest. 

On April 1, 2025, PFEIFER was arrested on this warrant while in custody at the Naples Jail Center.

On Thursday, PFEIFER was sentenced to ten (10) days in jail, one year of probation, and $1,145.50 restitution. PFEIFER is also banned from “owning” or “possessing” animals.

As for Shona, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said that she has since recovered and remains in foster care.

In a written statement, Sheriff Rambosk said “Every act of cruelty matters and will not be ignored. Our Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance is committed to protecting animals and holding offenders accountable.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

PFEIFER’s mugshot shared from the Collier County Sheriff's Office

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