Iowa puppy mills had one of the nation’s worst animal welfare compliance records in the third quarter of 2023, newly disclosed records show.
The five states where dog breeders and kennels committed the most animal welfare violations between July and September were:
- Virginia, 52.
- the state of Wisconsin. 51.
- Ohio, 36.
- Iowa, 28.
- Arkansas, 17.
The data was culled from USDA reports and collected, analyzed and reported by Bailing Out Benji, a national animal welfare organization based in Iowa. Only seven Iowa breeders were held responsible for all violations that occurred in Iowa during the investigation. third quarter of this year.
The number of violators, and the number of violations cited, fluctuates widely based on the number of licensed operators visited by inspectors.
For example, in 2022, Iowa led the nation in the number of violations, with the USDA reporting 286 violations throughout the year. Missouri, in second place, had less than half as many violations, 109 during the same period.
According to the USDA report, these Iowa breeders were cited for violations in the third quarter of 2023:
Caroline Anderson of Mason City Anderson Yorkshire
On Aug. 3, Anderson received a formal warning from the USDA for violations by inspectors more than a year ago. During a visit in May 2022, inspectors charged Anderson with 15 violations, including one serious violation related to animal identification, record keeping, animal handling, housing facilities, incompatible animal groupings, dog exercise and veterinary care of dogs.
When an inspector asked about the recent death of a toy poodle named Summer, Anderson allegedly explained that the puppy died after being attacked by other dogs. “Summer may have experienced severe pain, trauma and physical injury prior to his eventual death,” the inspector reported. At that time, inspectors also noted that at least 14 adult dogs and five puppies were overdue for vaccinations.
Inspectors returned in July 2022 and charged Anderson with six more violations related to attending veterinarian, veterinary care, record keeping, animal housing facilities and watering. Inspectors reported that on June 22, a Yorkshire terrier named Asher was left outside and became overheated. The dog was brought inside and cooled down with a wet towel. Two days later, the dog was lethargic, trembling, then suffered a seizure and died.
more:Dog found on Iowa airport runway, puppy mill closed after 16 citations
Inspectors also noted that the indoor area for dog walking had “an accumulation of brown organic material” covering half the floor and that dogs had to “walk on the edge of the walkway to avoid staining the surface.” Inspectors found two adult dogs in a wire crate with an empty dry water bowl, along with 19 dogs and puppies that were due or overdue for vaccinations.
During a follow-up visit on August 22, 2022, USDA officials charged Anderson with a non-serious violation related to recordkeeping. Inspectors determined that 12 dogs or puppies counted at the time of the previous inspection were no longer at the kennels and had apparently been sold to persons Anderson could not identify. In 2022, Anderson was cited for a total of 38 USDA violations.
Heath Myers of Century Farm Puppies in Grundy Center
During a visit on August 24, 2023, USDA inspectors cited Myers with nine non-critical violations related to attending veterinarian and veterinary care, record keeping, animal housing facilities, cleaning, disinfection, Inadequate housekeeping and pest control.
Inspectors determined Myers was unaware that four adult dogs in his care had health issues that required attention, including a spaniel named Flower who had severely sunken gums and the roots of several teeth were visible and exposed. Another spaniel named Cruz had a broken tooth with the pulp exposed. A third spaniel named Melonia had at least three loose teeth, other teeth were brown, and her gums were severely receded.
Miles was also found to have several expired medications on his hands, including a tube of Neosporin that expired in January 1995 and catheters that expired in 2010 and 2011.
Inspectors also observed that the fate of 26 adult dogs was unknown, with no apparent record of sale or disposal. Myers allegedly told inspectors the dogs had likely been euthanized.
more:Lawmakers call for action after 131 dogs seized from Iowa puppy mills
Inspectors also noted an accumulation of organic material, including hair and feces, in several of the dog’s main enclosures, with fecal matter covering the surface of the puppies’ rubber chew toys. Two feeders used by four adult dogs had a buildup of dark brown material on the inside, with the accumulation of dirt, hair and debris creating a risk of illness.
At the time of the inspection, the business had 162 adult dogs and 123 puppies. Myers was also cited for violations in March.
Lyle Miller of Wellman’s Miller Clan Pug
During a visit on July 24, 2023, an inspector charged Miller with causing the death of a female pug named Miranda. The dog was left outside and overheated. A representative for the business said Miranda was playing on the outdoor playground and was brought back indoors. Miranda was found unresponsive several minutes later, deputies said. Staff tried to cool her down, but she died quickly.
Miller, who had 20 adult dogs on hand at the time of the inspection, received an official warning from the USDA as a result of the death.
Iowa City Maple Grove Kennels
During the July 10, 2023 inspection, Maple Grove was cited for two serious violations involving animal handling and incompatible dog grouping, as well as for attending veterinarian, veterinary care, dog identification, record keeping, housing facilities, cleaning , disinfection, housekeeping and pest control.
During the visit, the inspector noticed that staff had just injected oxytocin (a hormone used to control postpartum hemorrhage in mothers) into a dog that had given birth the day before. The drug expired six years ago in 2017.
more:Iowa ARL Boone County Sheriff rescues nearly 100 dogs from apparent puppy mill
“Records for all adult dogs and litters of puppies were missing,” the inspector noted. On July 2, 2022, a dog named Lucy escaped from the kennel. Eleven days later, she was found dead in a nearby hayfield. In January 2023, an adult dog named Tina was found fighting with another dog in a shared enclosure and suffered serious leg injuries. Another dog had to be euthanized due to the fight.
Inspectors also observed large numbers of live flies and accumulations of dead flies in the building where 23 dogs and puppies lived. “The facility does not have a plan to control insects in the building,” the inspector reported, adding that staff did not regularly pick up feces on the playground, increasing the risk of illness.
As a result of the violations, Maple Grove received a formal warning from the USDA, after which the business chose to revoke its license. At the time of the inspection, Maple Grove had 19 adult dogs and 15 puppies on hand.
Marlin Dibbet of Rainbow Kennels in Sioux Center
During a visit on July 12, 2023, USDA inspectors cited Dibbett with a non-serious violation related to an attending veterinarian and inadequate veterinary care. The inspector observed a 6-year-old dog holding its left front paw in the air and being unable to put any weight on the leg. Dibbett allegedly told inspectors he noticed the condition “a few days ago” but did not document the injury or contact a veterinarian.
“A non-weight-bearing limb indicates possible injury or infection and is painful,” the inspector reported. “This animal needs to see a veterinarian.”
Additionally, the inspector noticed that one female dog had excessive brown organic matter that had accumulated on some of her teeth and had migrated to her gums. DiBette “must have the dog examined by a veterinarian,” the inspector reported, adding that DiBette must provide documentation of diagnosis and treatment as requested by the federal agency.
At the time of the inspection, Dibbett had 50 adult dogs and 12 puppies on hand.
Nathan Miller of Kalona
During September. During a visit on Dec. 13, 2023, a USDA inspector charged Miller with a non-serious violation related to dog identification. A litter of American Eskimo puppies born seven weeks before the examination had no identifying information. Inspectors noted that such identification is necessary for the USDA to track the animals’ movements.
In early 2023, the USDA charged Miller with four non-serious violations related to outdoor housing facilities and inadequate veterinary care. An inspector noted that an outdoor enclosure with a tin roof housed an adult dog but did not Adequate protection from wind and rain. At last check, Miller had 13 dogs and two puppies on hand.
Scott Swanson of Ollie’s S & J Kennels
During a visit on August 14, 2023, USDA inspectors cited Swanson for five non-serious violations related to attending veterinarian and inadequate veterinary care, dog identification, recordkeeping, and dog incompatibility Group. Inspectors noted that Swanson changed his vaccination and deworming schedule without consulting his attending veterinarian and stopped vaccinating adult dogs against hepatitis and bordetella.
Additionally, Swanson has not yet contacted a veterinarian about a pit bull puppy that was developing an unusual eye problem, which Swanson said he noticed a few days ago. Swanson was also cited for violations in June 2022, November 2022 and early 2023.
At the time of the most recent inspection, Swanson had 29 adult dogs and 10 puppies on hand.
find this storyiowa capital dispatchIs part of the State Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by a coalition of grants and donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. If you have questions, please contact editor Kathy Obradovich:kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com.