Owner receiving death threats after 10 dogs died at his pet kennel

The owner of the Hondenhuys pet kennel in Woudenberg is receiving death threats after ten dogs died in his facility, described as a luxury doggy hotel. He reported the threats to the police this week, Gertjan Peelen told RTV Utrecht. The police did not confirm that for privacy reasons.

“It keeps you awake at night,” Peelen said. “I immediately lock the door in the car. When a gift arrives, you are afraid of what is inside. I also have a young family with children. These are probably keyboard warriors, but this cannot become normal.”

On April 27, an employee of the pet kennel on Voskuilerweg discovered ten deceased dogs in one of the “apartments” where the animals stayed. Three other dogs were fighting for their lives, one ending up in intensive care. An insider previously told RTL Nieuws that the doggy hotel wasn’t nearly as luxurious as advertised and that the dogs were kept in a shipping container without proper ventilation.

The owners received the sad news while on vacation. Several contacted the police, who launched an investigation. Peelen said the three surviving dogs are doing well again. “I am busy with this every moment of the day. We also want to know how this could happen,” Peelen said.

According to lawyer Brigitte Roodvelt, who represents several involved dog owners, the dogs likely suffocated. “It is very unsettling for the victims that they are still in the dark about what happened,” she said. “The first emotions have settled in, but they are still intensely sad.” The investigation is taking longer due to the May holidays, she said.

The police expect the investigation to take a while yet. “It is a careful and precise process,” a spokesperson told RTV Utrecht. An autopsy was done on one of the dogs last week to determine the cause of death.