News out of New York

Authorities in upstate New York are investigating after 21 dogs were found dead at a dog boarding facility over the weekend.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office said it responded to a report of dead dogs on Aug. 24 at Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding in Argyle, New York, a town of 3,600 people about 45 miles north of Albany.

One other dog was found alive and taken to an emergency animal clinic for care, the sheriff's office said.

Investigators have not revealed the cause of death for the dogs. The boarding facility and sheriff's office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's emailed questions on Aug. 26.

"The owners of Anastasia’s Acres are cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office and the investigation," the sheriff's office said.

The facility is operated by the Palulis family on a 3-acre property and has been in business since 2020, according to its website, which was down for maintenance as of Aug. 26; a version saved in July was accessed through the Internet Archive. It offers pet boarding, daycare services, training, grooming and other services.

Overnight boarding rates range from $45 to $55 per night, with add-ons including forest walks and daily pictures sent to owners, the site said. Dogs spend their time in zoned fenced-in areas monitored by cameras, and sleep in a "cozy dog cottage equipped with heat and air conditioning," the site said.

The Brown family told ABC affiliate News10 in Albany that they paid the extra fee to get daily photos of their 8-month-old dog Rex while they went away for the weekend. They were sent a picture on Saturday, Aug. 23, but didn't get one the next day. Rex was among the deceased dogs.

"She was supposed to send me pictures on Sunday but she didn’t and I had a feeling something was wrong,” Leah Brown told the outlet. "We loved him like he was our son. He was just always playing and swimming in his swimming pool."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Investigation launched after 21 dogs found dead at New York boarding facility

Reporting by Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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