Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) recently released its 2026 Horrible Hundred report on what it considers are the 100 worst licensed dog breeding facilities, aka puppy mills, in the United States.

Nine of the horrible hundred facilities are in New York State, including Hilltop Country Kennels and Red Oaks Canines in Dundee, operated by Samuel Z. Brubacker, and a facility operated by Arthur L. Schmucker in Clyde.

State inspectors gave Brubacker critical violations in January 2026 for not protecting dogs from extreme temperatures and for not providing some with clean fresh water. U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors found repeat violations in November, July and March 2025 for cleaning issues. In July 2025, the USDA found “evidence of feces in multiple indoor boxes that need to be removed in both the whelping room and main kennel and the color and amount of feces indicated it was not being done daily. Additionally, there were feces that is not falling through the wire mesh portions of the runs that also need to be removed.”

The inspector also observed “a strong odor of ammonia (urine and feces) in and around the whelping room,” in addition to dust, debris and “an abundance of dead flies,” along with remnants of mouse droppings in old food.

Over the past six years, Brubacker failed to pass several inspections. In October 2021, USDA inspectors cited Brubacker with veterinary care deficiencies for two dogs with abnormalities and found several issues with dogs’ primary enclosures in disrepair.

Of his last USDA inspections between October 2023 and February 2026, Schmucker only passed two of them with no violations. The most recent inspection revealed problems with housing, cleaning and two matted dogs.........

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