'Death camp for dogs' shut down after fraud and extreme neglect exposed

Two men face fraud charges after running a shelter where dogs starved in overcrowded cages. Now, volunteers race to save the survivors before it's too late.

, and Administrator

2026 March 9 . 3:06 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people and animals gathered around a building with windows, a light... — The image shows a group of people and animals gathered around a building with windows, a light pole, and a sky in the background. At the bottom of the paper, there is text that reads "First Stage of Cruelty".

'Death camp for dogs' shut down after fraud and extreme neglect exposed

A dog shelter in Kamyshlov, run by the company Everest, has been shut down after reports of extreme neglect and fraud. Activists described the facility as a 'death camp for dogs,' where animals were found emaciated and kept in overcrowded, freezing conditions. Two men linked to the shelter now face fraud charges in connection with its operation.

The shelter, operated by Everest under Maxim Shipachev, was exposed for severe mistreatment of around 120 dogs. Investigations revealed dangerously overcrowded cages, inadequate heating, and irregular veterinary care. Many animals were reportedly in poor health, leading activists to dub the place a 'slaughterhouse.'

Shipachev and his associate Denis Neustroyev have been remanded in custody until April 9. Prosecutors allege they defrauded authorities of 28 million rubles (around $300,000) through fake contracts for capturing and caring for stray dogs. The funds were meant for animal welfare but were instead misused, according to the charges.

Volunteers are now working to rehome the surviving dogs, with about two dozen still at the site. Official records show no other shelters in the Sverdlovsk region have been closed for similar violations in the past five years.

The closure follows criminal proceedings against Shipachev and Neustroyev for large-scale fraud. The shelter's remaining dogs are being relocated by volunteers, while authorities continue their investigation. No further details on the case have been released at this time.