Defendant Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Animal Cruelty for Fatally Stabbing Dog

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Emery S. Kawski, 21, formerly of City of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law). Kawski pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge and sole count of the indictment.

On the evening of Monday, February 24, 2025, the defendant intentionally stabbed a dog inside of his residence in the City of Tonawanda. Police found the deceased dog inside of a garbage tote outside a nearby home. A necropsy determined that "Pop Rocks," an approximately four-year-old male Boston Terrier, died from multiple sharp-force trauma wounds to his abdomen. Analysis of a knife, recovered from the kitchen sink of the defendant's home, tested positive for canine blood.

Kawski faces up to two years of incarceration when he is sentenced on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.

While the case was pending in the Tonawanda City Court, our office obtained a securing order to prohibit the defendant from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals. After the indictment, Judge Case modified the securing order, over the objection of the People, to allow the defendant to continue to live at the residence on condition that he be supervised while in the presence of any animals.

DA Keane commends the City of Tonawanda Police Department, City of Tonawanda Dog Control, Officers Lindsey Wood and Meghan Giles of the SPCA Serving Erie County, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Erie County Central Police Service Forensic Laboratory for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.