Tragically, 21 dogs have died in upstate New York State, and authorities suspect abuse. The pet owners are devastated by the horrible situation. As an animal lover, it is hard to understand how and why this happened.
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The owners of the boarding facility where the dogs were being “cared” for have been charged with their deaths. Robert Palulis, 48, of Argyle, New York, and 38-year-old Anastasia A. Palulis, Argyle, New York, were both charged with, “As a result of the investigation the Sheriff’s Office has charged the owners of Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding, Robert Palulis (48) and Anastasia Palulis (38) with twenty-two (22) counts of section 353 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, (Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance), class A Misdemeanors,” according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
They own and operate Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding in the Town of Argyle, located at 34 Allen Rd, in Washington County. The business is now listed as ‘permanently closed’. On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was called to the facility after receiving a report of dead dogs. During the investigation, police determined that the dogs were kept without adequate water and ventilation. Only one of the 22 dogs at the facility survived and required medical attention.
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According to the National Humane Education Society,
Failing to provide for an animal’s basic needs to the degree that the animal experiences intense suffering or death also qualifies as animal cruelty, regardless of the offender’s intent. For instance, continuous dog chaining, failure to supply an animal with necessary food, shelter, and veterinary care, confining an animal for long periods, leaving an animal in a hot car, and having more animals than be adequately cared for, all cause an animal intense suffering and death – even when the offender lacks to awareness to recognize it…