New York – Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, has released a hidden-camera investigation into a high-volume puppy mill at Sportsman’s Kennels in Long Island. Between September and October, an undercover investigator documented 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, claims it has been “breeding AKC pups since 1962” and advertises 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.”

The investigator reported dogs stepping in feces, leading to swollen, inflamed paws and matted, urine-soaked fur. A strong odor came from urine troughs, and a black, mold-like substance was seen in some rooms. Puppies were observed vomiting, coughing or wheezing, with many showing hernias, eye disorders, rashes, ear wax buildup, and eye or nasal discharge.

One breeding dog had bloodied fur. A mother dog missing a very noticeable amount of fur scratched constantly and struggled to get comfortable while caring for her litter. Other dogs appeared underweight, with scabs, matted fur or feces stuck in their coats.

Cockroaches were crawling through parts of the kennel. A staff member was seen spraying roach-infested areas with toxic insecticide near pregnant and nursing dogs and puppies.

Many puppies were kept in small plastic enclosures with no toys and only shredded paper for bedding. Breeding and pregnant dogs were kept in concrete runs or plastic bins with nothing soft other than shredded paper.

Older dogs who were not breeding and puppies considered unsellable were kept in what some employees called the “forgotten” or “neglected” dogs room, receiving minimal attention.

Sportsman’s Kennels failed nine state inspections between 2019 and early 2025 but passed several this year, including one about a month before the undercover work and another a few weeks after it concluded.

While the facility promotes its connection to the American Kennel Club, the AKC is not an animal welfare organization and has lobbied against laws such as the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 2253) and the Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 3112/S. 1538), as well as hundreds of state and local bills.

Humane World for Animals shared its findings with local enforcement agencies. Although New York’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Act bans the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores, breeding operations may still sell animals they breed directly to the public, which is how Sportsman’s Kennels claims to operate.

Dog lovers are encouraged to support the Puppy Protection Act and the Better CARE for Animals Act and to adopt from reputable shelters and rescues or choose only small-scale local breeders.

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