There is absolutely no way that I could suggest this kennel with a good mind. I called to inquire about the kennel and decided they seemed friendly enough on the phone and the price was right, so I would stop by for a visit. I was absolutely horrified at my findings. It was March of 2014 and the temperature that day was 19 degrees F. No one was there when I arrived, so I decided to walk along side and check out the kennels. Behind the boarding facility were three typical puppy mill-type cages - above the ground with a small wooden box for the dog to sleep in. In each cage was a beagle. No food, no water. Yes, there were water bowls that were frozen solid and obviously scratched at in an attempt to quench their thirst. All three dogs were shivering and the cages were filled with feces and frozen urine. Underneath the cages were more feces that had at one point fallen through. Absolutely despicable and unexcuseable. Note that the kennel also is a "professional breeder" of hunting dogs. I left, disgusted and made a few phone calls to find out where I would need to report these people to the authorities. I decided to go back and take pictures so that I could send them to the local Humane Society and whoever else may need them. When I went back, I walked even further to find about a dozen more dogs chained to wooden dog houses, again, with no shelter from the weather, no food bowls and only one empty water bowl which was completely out of reach for any of the animals. I thought, could this get any worse? I met the state police who promised to pay the kennel a visit and to call me with his findings. In the interim, I contacted a friend who knew the owner and was told that he worked at the local prison. Hmmm. Shortly after I got a call from the policeman who said that he found that the dogs were all taken care of and that the owner worked overnight and had not yet gotten out to feed and water the dogs that day...at 11 am. He went on to say that the dogs were given food and water earlier that morning after his shift and that the water had frozen in the interim. Absolutely no way could that have happened seeing the bowls for myself and that they had obviously been scratched at for days. The policeman said that he went into the owners home and he had paintings and pictures of his dogs throughout his house and was told that he took his hunting dogs out all of the time hunting with him and that he played with them each day. My opinion, a good example of the "Good Ole' Boys Club". If he cares for his breeding dogs this way, should you trust him with yours? Absolutely not and I'll tell you why. I spoke with my vet about my encounter and she said that they have had multiple dogs in their office for removal of porcupine quills because he has taken boarded dogs out with him to hunt in the woods behind his home. Imagine coming to pick up your pet to find that. Obviously, I chose to go elsewhere as I hope you do to. Please also consider this when looking for a hunting dog. Check your local animal shelters, Humane Society and breed-specific rescues. There are many options. Often times you can put your name on a waiting list at your local shelter or Humane Society for a specific breed and they will call you when one comes in. You can save a life for much less money and help in shutting down puppy mills that abuse animals for a dollar.
As you can see I now live in New Hampshire. At the time, we were living in New York and I drove and hour and a half to visit this place. I just recently came across the pictures again and had to write a review to inform others that may be interested in boarding at Tug Hill Kennels. read more
