Humane Society: Ohio puppy mills named in 2020 Horrible Hundred list

Ohio nearly tops the list of the problem puppy mills according to the 2020 Horrible Hundred report.

The Humane Society of United States, which publishes the annual report, said the purpose is to warn consumers about common problems in puppy mills. What's most terrifying, the Humane Society said, is the same families in central Ohio keep changing ownership and kennel names to avoid the risk of being repeat offenders.US

Adam Yoder of Sugarcreek failed three consecutive inspections for neglecting to obtain veterinary care.

Yoder, who owns Artisan Creek, also known as Sunrise Kennel, was issued multiple violations including failure to fully address the issue of 12 dogs needing dental assistance. During a Nov. 12, 2019 inspection, Yoder was found non-compliant for the fourth consecutive time for allowing David Miller to address veterinary services. And, in some instances, allowing Miller to perform teeth extraction, according to the report

The USDA found Miller, a Millersburg dog breeder, to be practicing veterinary medicine without a license, which is a violation of state law.

Yoder's kennel is just one example of violators assembled by USDA researchers, who comb through federal and state inspections for citations and instances of animal suffering. The Humane Society notes the report is not a list of the worst operations, as many puppy mills are not inspected at all and thus operated in secrecy. 

Ohio comes in second on the list of most puppy mills behind Missouri. Nine in Ohio are consistently found to be non-compliant, placing them on the Horrible Hundred list.

Other Ohio facilities and operators cited in the report include:

• Cheryl Kinder of East Palestine was found twice last year to be non-compliant after multiple violations were found during inspections in September and October. According to the report, cages with inadequate space - in some cases, not even room to stand upright - stacked at least three high were observed by inspectors. Some dogs did not have water, and seven were in need of dental treatment.
• Green Meadow Farm in Apple Creek for issues include two short-haired breeds housed outside without veterinary approval, excessive food waste and flies around the dogs' enclosures, lack of emergency and nutrition plans, and a poodle need of veterinary treatment. Kennel owner Norman Yoder failed to take a dog to a vet as instructed during a previous inspection.
• Ivan Barkman, owner of Lone Pine Kennel in Baltic, was cited for repeat violation for a puppy who was coughing and raspy, a violation for a dog with  a severe ear infection with discharge was draining down her face. Inspectors noted the dog had the problem for at least five months without being treated by a veterinarian. 
• Michael Troyer, owner of Spring Side Kennel in Baltic, failed to obtain dental treatment for dogs even after the inspector required it and neglecting to take the animals to a veterinarian for professional care. Troyer took them to another licensee who is not a veterinarian.
• Adrian Mast of Dundee failed state inspections due to more than 18 different violations - including an underweight male Irish setter, a female Irish setter with mange and improperly preforming his own veterinary procedures. The inspector also noted unsafe conditions and a variety of other problems.
• Ruth Miller's Country Acres Bulldogs in Dundee was cited in September for a number of issues, including five dogs who had eye disorders left untreated. Inspectors also noted Miller offers AKC puppies for sale on its website and also offers to ship puppies sight-unseen to buyers, although it does not appear Miller has a USDA license. 

• Alvin Herschberger of Patriot was cited in September for a puppy who couldn't walk and wasn't receiving proper treatment. The inspector also noted two other puppies in the litter had died from unknown causes eight days after birth. Other issues noted included 18 dogs housed outside with no protection from the elements, dogs who only had metal barrels as shelter, and self-feeders with open tops. As of March, Herschberger seems to have dropped the former USDA license number under his name, but has applied for a new license under Hilltop Puppies.
• Inspectors found a limping Maltese, a bulldog with an inflamed neck, and other dogs with notable skin abrasions while visiting Ivan Miller in Sugarcreek in October. In addition, they found a number of dogs were on unsafe wire flooring which didn't provide solid flooring to allow them to move freely. On a subsequent visit in January, inspectors found excessive feces accumulation in five outdoor enclosures housing a total of 14 adult dogs. The report indicates the facility had about 280 dogs and puppies on the property during the January inspection.

For a complete list noted as the horrible hundred visit the Humane Society's website at humanesociety.org.

cschultz3@gannett.com

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