The dogs belonged to the deputy...not Howell.
While trying to get in touch with Justin Howell, the dogs’ owner, a deputy discovered marijuana growing on Howell’s property.
Ahh, journalism writing is not what it should be, but that’s not the way I read it — unless you are making that point with a sarcastic remark.
Forgot your sarcasm tag. It is poor writing, but it was the dope grower, not the cop, who got the citation for the loose dogs. “Howell was arrested for Manufacturing Marijuana and cited for dog at large.”
I can see how you misread "While trying to get in touch with Justin Howell, the dogs’ owner, a deputy discovered marijuana growing on Howell’s property."
but you must remember that even reporters, who tools of trade are words, are no longer able to write a proper sentence. Howell was the dog owner -