Upstate NY dog boarders charged with animal torture after 21 dogs die in their care

Two owners of an upstate New York dog boarding facility have been charged with animal torture after 21 dogs died in their care, according to authorities.

Robert Palulis, 48, and Anastasia Palulis, 38, were arrested at their business, Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding in Argyle, on Sunday after cops were called to check on “a report of deceased dogs at the facility,” Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy announced in a press release Tuesday.

Cops discovered 21 dogs dead and one pooch that needed to be taken to an emergency animal clinic for care, Murphy said.

Investigators learned the couple had allegedly provided inadequate water and ventilation for the animals.

Hannah Elmore, 12, was thrilled to return home from a family trip to reunite with her family dog, Piglet, when her family was told the pup had died at the boarding facility, according to CBS6.

“My dad told us that [Piglet] had passed, and I just broke down immediately,” Elmore told the outlet

“She would always be there for everyone, always cuddling up with me on the couch,” she said of 3-year-old Piglet.

“We miss that little jingle up and down the hall.”

Leah Brown was also vacationing in New Hampshire when she learned her beloved pooch, Rex, had passed away, the outlet reported.

Investigators informed the dog owner that the facility had an issue with the ventilation system, causing the dogs to suffocate.

The couple has been charged with 22 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, as well as failure to provide proper sustenance, records indicate.

Both Robert and Anastasia Palulis were released with appearance tickets and ordered to show up to court at a later date, the sheriff’s office said.

Social media sites for the dog boarding facility appeared to be taken down as of Tuesday.