NEW YORK—Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, has released its recent investigation into a high-volume puppy mill. An investigator worked undercover at Sportsman’s Kennels in Long Island between September and October, documenting poor breeding conditions, sick and matted dogs, and parts of the building crawling with cockroaches behind a popular storefront.
Sportsman’s Kennels, which had 277 dogs and puppies on-site as of November, boasts it has been “breeding AKC pups since 1962.” Unlike responsible breeders who typically specialize in one or two breeds, Sportsman’s Kennels advertises churning out a wide range of breeds, including beagles, Labrador retrievers, poodles, golden doodles, Rottweilers, shih tzus, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and corgis.
“These loving dogs suffer in shameful and decrepit conditions that shock the senses,” said Brian Shapiro, New York state director, Humane World for Animals. “Sportsman’s Kennels has mass produced animals for decades and it’s past time for meaningful action by authorities. What we discovered here is heartbreaking and contradicts New York’s commitment to ending puppy mill cruelty.”
Key investigation findings include:
- In some of the kennels, dogs were stepping in feces, leading to swollen and inflamed paws and matted, urine-soaked fur. A horrendous odor permeated the air from urine troughs in some areas, and the investigator noted a black, mold-like substance in some rooms.
- Some of the puppies were vomiting, coughing or wheezing. Many had congenital issues such as hernias and eye disorders. One puppy had a very noticeable, crusty rash that lasted for weeks, while others had ears filled with brownish wax or eye and nasal discharge.
- One breeding dog was observed with bloodied fur. The investigator saw a mother dog who was missing a very noticeable amount of fur repeatedly scratching and unable to get comfortable while caring for a litter of small puppies. Others appeared underweight, and some had scabs, matted fur or feces stuck in their fur.
- Parts of the kennel were crawling with cockroaches. The investigator observed a staff member spraying roach-infested areas with cans of toxic insecticide in proximity to pregnant and nursing mother dogs and puppies.
- Many puppies were living in small plastic enclosures with no toys or bedding other than shredded paper. Breeding and pregnant dogs were kept in bleak concrete runs or plastic bins with nothing soft to sit or sleep on other than shredded paper.
- Older dogs who were not currently breeding, and puppies who were considered unsellable, were kept in what some employees referred to as the “forgotten” or “neglected” dogs room, where they received minimal attention.
Sportsman’s Kennels failed nine state inspections between 2019 and early 2025. Shockingly, the facility has passed several state inspections this year, including one about a month before the undercover investigation and another a few weeks after the investigation concluded.
Sportsman’s Kennels prides itself on being linked to the American Kennel Club, the popular purebred pet registry associated with the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show. But the AKC is not an animal welfare organization. In fact, the AKC regularly lobbies to oppose animal welfare laws designed to protect dogs in puppy mills, including the federal Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 2253) and the Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 3112/S. 1538), as well as more than 500 state and local bills to date.
After reviewing hours of undercover footage and dozens of pages of notes, Humane World for Animals shared a summary of key findings with local enforcement agencies.
While the recently implemented Puppy Mill Pipeline Act prohibits the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores in New York, breeding operations may sell animals they breed directly to the public, which is how Sportsman’s Kennels claims to operate.
Dog lovers can help prevent puppy mill cruelty by supporting the Puppy Protection Act and the Better CARE for Animals Act and by encouraging fellow pet lovers to adopt from reputable animal shelters and rescues, or choose only local, quality breeders who keep small numbers of dogs.
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