Pet owners have been left distraught after police discovered 21 dead dogs in an animal care centre.
Owners had left their pets at Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding for short-term stays, but received devastating news on Sunday after the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene.
Investigators found 21 dogs had died in the Argyle, Washington facility, and released a statement which alleges the owners had failed to provide enough water and proper ventilation for them to survive. One dog was found alive but in need of medical care.
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Police have charged the owners of the centre, Robert and Anastasia Palulis, with 22 counts of “overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance” under section 353 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
Mr Palulis, 48, and Ms Palulis, 38, were released on “appearance tickets” and will appear at the Argyle Town Court at a later date.
Pet owners, who had left their dogs at the centre while they went on holiday, were left reeling when they received the tragic news.
Hannah Elmore, a 12-year-old girl, was heartbroken when she found out her dog Piglet was among the 21 who died at the boarding centre.
She told WRGB that when her father told her the news, she “broke down immediately”.
“She would always be there for everyone, always cuddling up with me on the couch,” Hannah said.
“We miss that little jingle up and down the hall.”
Hannah said her family had dropped Piglet off at Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding on Friday before going to Pennsylvania.
The family were told about her death just hours before they were going to pick her up on Sunday.
Specific information about the conditions at Anastasia’s Acres has not been made available by police, and the time of death of the dogs remains unknown.
Social media users expressed their sadness for the pet owners who lost their dogs.
“I am so sad for all the families that lost their pups,” one Facebook user wrote.
“Healing prayers for all who are devastated by this tragedy,” another wrote.
Anastasia’s Acres’ website and Facebook page have been taken down.
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