Scandal in Polish cynology: dozens of dogs rescued from a registered Polish Kennel Club kennel, 16 animals died

A tragic and at the same time scandalous case has occurred in Poland. At the center of attention is the legally registered kennel Nescaland Kennel, owned by breeder Katarzyna Przybylska. The kennel was registered with the Polish Kennel Club / FCI (ZKwP/FCI).

In the Łódzkie Voivodeship, in the village of Wola Szydłowiecka, an emergency inspection revealed dozens of dogs kept in severe conditions. Among them were Saint Bernards, Poodles, Corgis, and Australian Shepherds. Nearby, the bodies of 16 deceased animals were found. More than fifty dogs were rescued alive. All of them were kept in enclosed spaces, in unsanitary conditions, without even minimal acceptable standards of care — emaciated and starving.

Animal rescue organizations — Dolnośląski Inspektorat Ochrony Zwierząt (DIOZ) and Fundacja Judyta — took part in rescuing the animals, documenting the conditions, and further handling of the case, acting jointly with veterinary services and the police. Treatment of the rescued dogs is ongoing, and evidence is being collected for investigative authorities.

Animal welfare activists conducted their own independent investigation. As more details emerged, a key question arose: how could such a situation continue for years within an official cynological structure that was obligated to supervise it — and who chose not to notice it. According to documents, the facility operated legally and was part of the official cynological system. This was not an illegal breeding operation, but a registered entity that formally raised no concerns among supervisory bodies.

The investigation revealed that the dogs kept at this location belonged to multiple owners. Some animals had been deliberately brought there by other breeders and left on the premises. According to the owner of the poodles found at the site, her dogs were supposedly kept there “for boarding” or “in a hotel.” Animal welfare organizations emphasize, however, that no hotel existed at this location, and the conditions were unsanitary and unfit for animals.

All dogs were registered with ZKwP, making it possible to identify their owners without difficulty. It was later established that among them were individuals holding high-ranking positions within the Polish cynological community.

Representatives of animal protection organizations report that the case has entered a legal phase. The case is being represented by attorney Katarzyna Topczewska.

Animal welfare advocates stated:

They also emphasized that treatment of the rescued dogs and the active collection of evidence are continuing:

At this stage, the issue goes beyond the conditions in a single location. All individuals involved may bear responsibility: those who kept animals in such conditions, those who knowingly brought their dogs there, were aware of their condition, and thereby exposed them to risk.

According to available information, prosecutors and veterinary authorities are establishing the circle of individuals who may have been aware of what was happening:
— who visited the premises;
— who saw the condition of the animals;
— who continued to leave their dogs there;
— and why no official reports were filed with the competent authorities.

How did ZKwP respond? In practice — it did not. After appeals from volunteers requesting explanations and financial responsibility for the rescue and treatment of the dogs, the organization reacted only after public exposure, issuing a formal statement expressing readiness to help. No actual assistance was provided at that time.

Only several days later did ZKwP announce that Katarzyna Przybylska was no longer a member of the organization, and that official letters had been sent to the Municipal Office of the City and Municipality of Bolimów. In these letters, the organization formally declared specific assistance measures, including:
— the provision of food and supplements for the dogs at a location designated by the municipality;
— readiness to provide the most needy animals with specialized veterinary care, including treatment at the University Center of Veterinary Medicine in Poznań, with all costs covered by ZKwP;
— assistance in finding temporary and permanent homes for all seized dogs;
— full readiness to cooperate with authorities and law enforcement agencies.

The publication emphasizes that all of the above commitments were formally documented in writing and submitted to the relevant authorities.
We hope that all those responsible will face deserved punishment.
And we believe it is important to remind: we are responsible for those we have tamed.
Do not place your own well-being above the life of another.

We continue to monitor developments and will publish further updates on this case.