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UPDATED: 70 Animals Rescued, 5 Found Dead in Fire Above Puppy Store

Nesconset, St. James, Kings Park and Smithtown fire departments responded Monday morning to a fire above Pick of the Litter.

Update, 9:31 a.m.: According to the Smithtown Animal Shelter, animals were not handed over to the shelter following Monday's fire on Main Street.

Three employees of the shelter were on scene, according to employee Monica Stevens, however the pet shop owner did not request help from the shelter.

Update, 4:47 p.m.: Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Monday afternoon that his office is investigating whether there was any animal cruelty evident at the scene, and had little else to offer in the way of a comment.

"We are in the process of investigating the fire, working with fire and police departments," said Gross. The chief added that regulation of pet dealers is overseen by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which is required to inspect each establishment once per year.

According to records with the New York State Department of State, Pick of the Litter incorporated in March of 2012. Elizabeth Persico took over as new manager, and .

“It’s a tough job taking care of them,” said Persico at the end of June. “But we love them all.”

Update, 2:34 p.m.: After a fire broke out above Pick of the Litter grooming and puppy shop Monday morning, 70 dogs and cats were safely rescued from the building by local fire rescue units, though five were found dead on the second floor, according to officials.

According to Smithtown Second Assistant Chief Tim Murphy, the cause of the fire - which broke out in the rear of the second floor - is still under investigation.

One person was hospitalized as a result of the fire, a neighboring male in his 20s who reported the fire shortly before noon, Murphy said.

At a 2:00 p.m. press conference, officials said they were unsure if the business was legally permitted to operate on the second floor of the building.

Update, 2:15 p.m.: Suffolk County Fire Rescue Emergency Services posted on its Facebook page, "Great work by our fire fighters, over 75 animals saved during Pet Store blaze in Smith town [sic]."

Original story: Nesconset, St. James, Kings Park and Smithtown Fire Departments are on scene at , closing Main Street from Landing Avenue to Route 111.

The puppy store and grooming shop is located at 105 E. Main St. Suffolk Police said the call came in at 11:53 a.m.

According to one firefighter on scene who declined to give his name, all dogs were removed from the store safely and given to Smithtown Animal Control.

A Smithtown Fire Marshal is also on scene, though the cause of the fire is not immediately clear.

Check back with Patch as more information becomes available.

K July 27, 2012 at 03:48 pm
that place was a garbage dump! im going for vet assisting and those dogs were not healthy at all. i walked in and walked out. felt so bad for those dogs and they shouldnt be there. when i was looking around i saw dust EVERYWHERE! The owner was not friendly at all and i hope he doesnt reopen. find someone else that can take care of the animals and knows how to keep the place clean and knows how to be friendly. im not affraid to stick up for those animals! im going to college to be an animal control officer and i would 100% take those animals away from him. learn how to keep the place neat and maybe go to a class to learn how to treat animals right and not just breed random breeds for money
STJ July 27, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Here's the problem with your logic - reputable breeders don't breed dogs to make money. They do it to BETTER the breed. So you're telling me he's getting all health clearances on all dogs and all breeds and choosing each mating pair to make sure the puppies are the healthiest they can be? He interviews you and ensures that your home and family life is suitable for the animal? Gives all of them daily exercise and training? Has a sanitary environment that doesn't promote disease? He must be superman. Because I know reputable breeders personally who only breed one breed of dog, and they have an extremely difficult time keeping up with all that is necessary to be good at what they do, not to mention barely making a profit.
Diane horn July 28, 2012 at 12:59 am
Let's hope all turns out for the better & I would like to know if any help is needed by whoever has all these dogs. Even if it's the owner John doesn't matter . Maybe all working together can make a bad situation better.
Walter Keenan July 28, 2012 at 01:51 am
I find it disgusting that there is not even 1/10 of the above outrage about REAL FACTUAL crime / vandalism that happens in our town. Really, what is wrong with you people?
If this man was guilty or suspected of something wouldn't you think he would be charged with something? Even if he is charges he is presumed innocent till PROVEN guilty, this is the Country I grew up in - How about you? Until investigators find him in the wrong for any of the allegations you are accusing him of, this is all just hot air.
rinnelle July 28, 2012 at 03:22 am
attention all the fire started from a sergepertecter with a la,p and hamr plugged into it it can happen in any home as far as you the public i am sorry you need to be a linch mob i hope none of you eber have your life taken by fire or tragedy my i pray for all of you for the first of you who have no one in your family go through such a tragedy thank god for all lives were saved and all johns good friends customers who helpe and have donated to hekp with pups if you out there have nothing nice to say then shut up i never seen worse responce in my life why dont you take out the marshmellows and roast them in the fire i think you all need to move on because opinions are like assholes andwe all got them i have seenmm and heard all the ifnorance from you all are any of you educated ? i fo appoligies to those who have been there for john i am very close to him and none of you seem to know the truth and tew one who says she is a vet tech and friend works close by the store was not open at 6 amen but it was john taking care of the animals it also was 12 or 2 in mornning when ever it was needed he was 7/24 on call you better find a new carrear i dont think u are cut out to work with aniimals and if you are strolling main st or your friend at 6 amen were were you comming from a bar? get a life
rinnelle July 28, 2012 at 03:30 am
get a life you walk main st at 6b amen are you kidding drugs you have no idea what you are sayiong you need to find a new carear you will never maje it in a animal field your a nasty person filled with lies and have no idea what u are saying 7/24 as needed when you work with dogs no store with live animals can run without 7/24 care give it a rest you are a milicious person and need to keep your mouth shut your ignorance is showing go and get your facks right
K July 28, 2012 at 03:32 am
um sweetie we arent ass holes who go drinking. and fyi my friend heard someone who was near by and said at 6 . i stick up for animals and ill do what i fing want bc ill het somewhere in life
rinnelle July 28, 2012 at 03:33 am
you have no idea what you are saying do you work for the state i know you dont false report can be punishable with jail time would you like to show proof of this please
rinnelle July 28, 2012 at 03:52 am
good luck you have some growing up to do and alot to learn do your homework before you say anything hersay is not even submissable in a court but malas and trying to destroy , harrass is a crime getthe facts right a serge pertecter started the fire it can happen to any home the puppy store was not on fire for your info and you have no idea what you are saying so please be wuiety for all you know im the owner of the building
Lady L July 28, 2012 at 04:05 am
I wish you could spell................
s July 28, 2012 at 06:14 am
I cant take it anymore... Rinnelle, you are ridiculously defensive (& offensive) about this guy, people are just expressing their experiences & opinion's ... we are entitled to do so under our First Amendment to the Constitution; Freedom of speech. Do you know what the Constitution is Rinnelle? Suggestion: when it is obvious that you have yet to complete your ESL classes, hold back on calling people ignorant, uneducated or giving career advice.
barbarasungirl@att.net July 28, 2012 at 12:14 pm
That is terriable. Thanks for the men that saved those poor incent dogs & cats but especially the dogs . All animals should be saved. I would love to adopt one if I know what kind they are & where they are. If i could Im not sure If I can or not since I live in Fl. I use to live in commack so I just love to keep up with the news around town,
Khalid July 28, 2012 at 02:33 pm
Rinelle originally stated she has been to the pet shop a few times and that John is a saint who cares for the pets than as her illegible posts kept coming it was obvious that she had some ownership with the shop so none of her posts, hmmm, tales can be believed. As far as her post on the definition of what a puppy mill is? Look the definition up. A full investigation on John, rinelle, the hero, Chris, and the alleged marine needs to be done. I know it's hard to prosecute these breeders because they hide behind the vail that what they are doing is caring and nursing poor homeless puppies but the facts are right there. If they can't be prosecuted perhaps a hefty fine will do.
rinnelle July 28, 2012 at 05:49 pm
lol this is how foolish you are anmd have to much free timme all i said is you have no idea who i am i could be the landlord owner of building but im not im no one who has any part if the buisness but know well what is thereandhealthy dogs, hard work, lots of love goes into the dogs there are more satisfied people with there dogs from john who is not the owner of pick of the litter either elizabeth is the store changed hands a while ago so you realy needto do your homework investigations lol what you think it wasnt done no buisness can run with out liscence no buisness can run with out proper chanels specialy live stock of any kind from dogs to chickerns lol you need to do your anger management class you are looking to atack any one not knowing facts imworked for newsday in my past and know about people who need to stop putting there thoughts out there facts are the truth and the truth is john cared more for those animals then most he dedicated himself 7/24 and ay one who owns a dog from john he has made happy i would like to see more possative people its sad that the negative ones are the ones who have to much free time and probaly cant be satisfied with anything i know you couldnt do what john was able to do best wishes to your next victim you rea about im sure you will find another person to attack
Lady L July 28, 2012 at 06:51 pm
Rinnelle anyone who sells dogs for profit does not do it for the "love of dogs"
Jim M. July 28, 2012 at 08:29 pm
What dogs were harmed?
Barbara Striegel July 28, 2012 at 09:06 pm
Thank you Smithtown Fire Department for being great, expedient and putting your lives on the line to save others.
You have helped me before and I am truly grateful.
Lady L July 29, 2012 at 05:03 am
any dog being bred for commercial sales is being harmed.......
Walter Keenan July 29, 2012 at 05:29 am
Lady L - Under you logic anyone who bakes and sells for profit does not do it for the "love of baking".
While I have seen footage from inside a puppy mill, I do not believe everyone who is in the market of selling puppies is guilty of the heinous acts that happen at the mills. You logic - while it may make sense to you - is grotesquely skewed.
LEISEL15K July 30, 2012 at 08:36 pm
New York State Law or any state for that matter hardly protects infants and children from their own parents. What makes you think these laws you are talking about protect these puppies and kittens Rinelle? You obviously work in a puppymill or pet store. Although, I do believe that some people who are connected to this industry genuinely love the animals, the ones who make money off their suffering are disgusting. There are way too many animals in the world with no homes. There is no excuse for this type of business. These are not material things. They have feelings. Adding to the constant overpopulation and suffering is evil and a pathetic choice of employment.
LEISEL15K July 30, 2012 at 09:08 pm
because............they are only animals and no one ever knows what really goes on with them.
LEISEL15K July 30, 2012 at 09:13 pm
wow between the cigarette smoke and the other smell the animals must be in great shape.
LEISEL15K July 30, 2012 at 09:19 pm
That is always best.
rinnelle July 31, 2012 at 01:57 am
no dogs are harmed most people have dogs as pets were do you think they come from a stack lol there are responsable ways to breed a dog under the right conditions, good health, bloodlines, a healthy puppy will have a nice long life the time that goes into the dogs isnt a profit its a way of life the breeder doesnt go on vacation, there on call 7/24 and miss holidays family gettogeathers some times feed by hand and no sleep for weeks to make sure all get a healthy start maybe you have no idea what is behind breeding or running a pet store the dogs are priorty loosing yourself for hours on end just playing and socializing there are lots of pet stores that shouldnt be open ill agree but there are those who do dedicate themselves and its more then just a job everyone remebers the dog they grew up with and there last dog in like sometimes is all a person has so its important were they comefrom you dont buy a puppy to have veternarian bill nightmares now does a breeder or pet store owner want problems a ngood reputation, jealthy happy puppies is most important, until you jave done this you cant say what its about no im not the owner, no im not a employee it reLY doesnt mattert who i am it matters that dogs are well bred healthy and taken care of johns dogs all eat health extention food it is a top line offood if he didnt care then he would feed cheap food instead of holistic foods like people what you eat is important no different then the dogs
erin crank July 31, 2012 at 03:47 am
My family and I got our new addition "Oreo" from Pick of the Litter. He was in PERFECT health at 7 months when we had him checked out and the owner John gave us a full guarantee that if we gave himback due to poor health issues he would ask no questions. Not only is he the sweetest moosh of a dog , in addition it took us 2 weeks to train him. We could tell from the beginning that he was well loved, knew his name and has been coddled and played with. We could not be HAPPIER with our dog and are so happy we got him. They are getting alot of bad press but we are a very happy customer of his and feel such sorrow over the fire and the loss if one of his dogs who happened to be our dogs mother. We would gladly take in any of his dogs if he needs to place them!!!
Donna Keller July 31, 2012 at 11:30 pm
My Morky mixes, Frannie and Sophie, were from POL. I spent a lot of evenings at the store and observed John and Elizabeth and her two kids taking care of the dogs. They loved their dogs and watched over them carefully. Yes, they reminded me too not to pet one and then another as it would spread germs. It was an accidental fire...a terrible disaster..and I am hoping my dogs ' mother and father, who lived upstairs, made it out safely. I was supposed to board my dogs next week with John. John said such wonderful things about his dogs. Shut up if you did not know him! And go back to school and learn how to spell! Some of you make no sense! Sorry, John! Mike...I left you a vm. Thank you so much for getting the dogs out! Donna Keller
Lady L July 31, 2012 at 11:42 pm
anyone who buys a pet from a pet store is buying puppymill dogs.....spin it however you like to sooth your ego
Lady L July 31, 2012 at 11:47 pm
other reviews https://plus.google.com/115924060264960253960/about?hl=en#115924060264960253960/about
Lady L July 31, 2012 at 11:50 pm
another review
December 01, 2011 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x PUPPY MILL!!!!. Stay away from this place!!! John, the owner, will tell you ANYTHING to make a sale. He buys these puppies at a puppy mill auction. He has no authentic documentation of the puppies parents. If you go here, you are funding the puppy mill abuse business. The place smells horrible and don't ask to use the bathroom. I heard animal noises coming from there and when I tried to open the door I got cursed out.WHAT ARE ANIMALS DOING IN THE BATHROOM AND WHAT IS THAT SMELL??!!!!
Lady L August 1, 2012 at 05:03 am
That location is not legally zoned for breeding or boarding.....all those dogs and no sprinkler system......senseless

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localgirl June 18, 2013 at 01:19 pm
@ J.P. Miller.. Why do you feel bad for the residents who live near the proposed catering hall onRead More Edgewood, but don't care that my neighbor and I will have to endure the same if this assisted living facility goes up. Is one a little too close to your backyard ?
P. J. Miller June 18, 2013 at 02:36 pm
Assisted living is a good thing - they are not filled with drunken people, loud music....noise!!Read More Sit in a parking lot of an assisted living you will see that first they are not filled with cars. Honestly, having been through the system with parents and relatives, it is sad what happens to some of the people at assisted living or nursing homes. Relatives just drop them off and never visit. You'll get the occasional visit on maybe Christmas or Mothers / Fathers day, but for the most part they get very little foot traffic. And the people that work there tell the same story. But it is quiet. I would prefer an assisted living over a catering hall any day of the week.
Cathryn S June 18, 2013 at 09:06 pm
You are absolutely right pj. Its comparing apples to oranges. Assisted living is for the elderlyRead More that cant take care of themselves. What noise is created. They are indoors and at the age where driving may not be an option. And the facility faces Route 25A. A main corridor that has been used as a main road for over 50 years. A road that has gas stations,bars, hospitals, nursing homes, retail stores and high schools presently on it. Why not an assisted living.
Vick w June 18, 2013 at 08:18 am
how is this allowed!!! I thought sex offenders were not allowed to live or be within a certainRead More amount of feet from a school or park or playground???? This "person" is young also, born in 1990 so he might blend in by the high school. he raped an 11 year old girl and only got 2 years in prison.
Vick w June 18, 2013 at 08:22 am
to see the pig, click or copy link belowRead More http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/offenderDetails.jsp?offenderid=34309
Nick June 18, 2013 at 04:06 pm
2 years in prison!!....I think a zero should have been added to his sentence.... If I were theRead More father of the 11 year old he would not be walking around today!
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 09:02 am
Nice. While waiting for the gates to go up, you could have viewed some of the direlect buildings inRead More town.
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 08:58 am
Creten?
The Smithtown Avenger June 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I don't think the town has a say in it. That is the good old MTA.
June Kempf June 13, 2013 at 09:14 am
As past president of the Sufolk County chapter of MDA and 30 year volunteer, I would like to urgeRead More young men in the community to take the challenge and enrich your lives as well as the families of vicitms of this dread disease. You have no idea how much you will be needed and appreciated. Go for it!