An undercover investigation alleges 200 dogs living in deplorable conditions at Sportsman’s Kennels in Manorville, N.Y.

Humane World for Animals says its probe, carried out between September and October, documented sick and matted dogs, puppies vomiting or wheezing, and visible pest infestations at the Schultz Road facility. The report names Sportsman’s Kennels as the facility in question and says inspectors recorded problems at the site in state visits from 2019 through 2025. Potential pet owners are often advised to look out for signs of a puppy mill, such as breeders refusing visits to their facility or offering puppies under eight weeks old without proper veterinary records.

Investigators described dogs with swollen paws and urine-soaked fur, and puppies with congenital issues. “These loving dogs suffer in shameful and decrepit conditions that shock the senses,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State Director for Humane World for Animals, highlighting the stark contrast between their care and that typically found in reputable breeding facilities, which usually ensure animals are kept in sanitary conditions and receive adequate veterinary attention.

Those findings include vivid descriptions of the facility’s environment: parts of the building crawling with cockroaches and a “horrendous odor” the report attributes to urine troughs in some areas. Puppy mills, as noted, often feature overcrowded and unsanitary conditions which foster diseases like parvo, underscoring the urgent need for intervention in cases like this. Humane World for Animals says many puppies were observed vomiting, coughing or wheezing during the undercover period.

The Companion Animal Protection Society filed complaints about the kennel with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, according to the organizations involved. As defined by state law, large-scale breeders must be licensed as “pet dealers” and adhere to humane care standards. “This recent undercover investigation has found horrific conditions for breeding dogs and puppies,” said Barbara Dennihy, a representative of the Companion Animal Protection Society.

State inspections recorded concerns about the property over a multiyear span, with official reviews noted between 2019 and 2025. The organizations involved say those records, alongside the undercover footage and on-site observations, informed their complaints and public statements. The Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, effective December 15, 2024, aims to prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in New York State, signifying a shift towards stricter regulations.

Humane Long Island is also connected to the response: John Di Leonardo is listed as the group’s founder and executive director. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Attorney General’s Office did not respond to requests for comment, according to the compilation of organizations tied to the matter.

Sportsman’s Kennels is identified on Schultz Road in Manorville. Humane World for Animals conducted the undercover work and compiled the description of living conditions and animal health concerns, shedding light on a situation that has raised significant concern among animal advocates.

The undercover investigation and its findings were also discussed in local reporting on the incident by News12 Long Island. The report and the complaints lodged by animal advocates prompted renewed attention to the kennel’s operations and to state inspection records covering recent years.

The organizations involved emphasize the health and welfare observations captured during the September-to-October undercover period. Humane World for Animals and the Companion Animal Protection Society provided the central allegations and documentary detail that form the basis of the complaints to state authorities. Conditions in puppy mills typically compare poorly to those in reputable breeding facilities.

Where the animals will go next and whether further enforcement action will follow rests with the agencies and offices that handle licensing and animal welfare enforcement in New York State. The ongoing situation serves as a critical reminder for potential pet owners to remain vigilant and informed, ensuring they do not unknowingly support unethical breeding practices.

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Original reporting: view the original article.