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Many Ohioans are animal lovers. We have pets we love and do our best to take care of them, and other animals, too, when the opportunity arises. Yet too many people still purchase their dogs, rather than adopting from animal shelters.
Puppy mills are big business here in Ohio -- so much so we are second only to Missouri on the Humane Society of the United States' "Horrible Hundred" report this year. Twenty of the 100 problem puppy mills on the list are in the Buckeye State.
"Our report is the tip of the iceberg -- as shocking as circumstances are in licensed puppy mills, there are many operations that aren't inspected at all due to legal loopholes," John Goodwin, senior director of the Humane Society's Stop Puppy Mills campaign. "It's critical for the public to understand the full picture of where their puppies come from, and they won't get that on a breeder's website or in a pet store."
According to the report, one of the Ohio puppy mills is in Kinsman. Rudy L. Lee, the breeder named in the report, of Lee Family Kennell, reportedly failed to have the kennel tested for a contagious zoonotic disease and was ordered to have dogs with eye disorders examined, according to the report.
Lee, who was unaware his kennel was included in the list, said it was a misunderstanding and added that he doesn't have a "puppy mill."
"I have a kennel, and I raise some dogs, but I am registered with the state and in compliance," Lee told our reporter.
The report stated in June "state inspectors noted that Rudy Lee's kennel needed documentation to prove 'that a whole kennel B. canis test was performed the first year of licensing' and the breeder needed a complete written plan for monitoring B. canis in the facility. B canis is a contagious zoonotic disease."
During another inspection that same year, Lee still did not have a complete annual plan for some requirements from the state and still hadn't by August despite an extension to the deadline, according to the report.
"That inspector knows that as far as showing the testing, it was done," Lee said. "It was just that the papers weren't yet showing they were done. I don't know how, why or where the report came from now. But this doesn't make any sense to me."
The other 19 problem puppy mills in Ohio listed in the report were Atlee A. Barkman, Barkman's Country Kennel of Baltic; John R. Garman of Plymouth; Alvin H. Hershberger, Walnut Lane LAH of Dundee; William Mathias of Dover; Atlee M. Miller of Sugarcreek; David A. Miller of Millersburg; Eli J. Miller of Millersburg; Melvin A. Miller of Baltic; Mose A. Miller, Maple View Kennel of Baltic; Wayne E. Miller, Pine Creek Puppies of Millersburg; Andy Nisley, Nunda Valley Kennels of Howard; Daniel J. Schlabach of Apple Creek; Enos and / or Mary Shetler, Woodside Kennel, aka County Line Kennel LLC of Fredericktown; Laverne D. Troyer of Mount Gilead; Reuben H. Troyer of Baltic; Reuben M. Troyer of Millersburg; Andy A. Yoder, A&E Kennel of Sugarcreek; Marvin H. Yoder, Willow Lot Kennel of Millersburg; and Myron Yoder of Baltic.
While Lee and his kennel don't seem to be a part of the overarching problem, despite their inclusion on the "Horrible Hundred" list, puppy mills continue to be a problem across the state.
One way to combat this problem would be to give more power to local communities. According to a report from the Akron Beacon Journal, the Humane Society supports Ohio House Bill 443, which would allow municipalities to regulate pet stores in their communities, rather than oversight being handled solely by the state, and we do as well. We believe lawmakers should begin pushing the bill forward immediately in an effort to make change.
The violations in some of these facilities are horrifying. According to the report, one Iowa breeder was doing his own at-home neuter strategies, while a Missouri puppy mill had a dog die from a lice infestation. There was also an Oklahoma facility where dogs were eating mice feces with their food because of a bad rodent infestation.
Ohioans can do something to prevent this. A person does not perpetuate a business such as these unless money is being made. So stop shopping at them. It's as simple as that. Instead, visit your local animal shelter to find your next furry friend.