MI Puppy Mill Investigation

Merlin ID: 513755

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Puppy mill investigation of breeder Paul Steury in Michigan in July 2019.

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Molly Tamulevich/The HSUS

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MI Puppy Mill Investigation

Merlin ID: 513663

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Puppy mill investigation of breeder Paul Steury in Michigan in July 2019.

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Molly Tamulevich/The HSUS

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David Graber

Merlin ID: 512557

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During a USDA inspection in October 2019, David Graber was cited for a golden retriever with at least two deep, open wounds who had not been adequately treated by a veterinarian.  One of the wounds had a "red tinged watery fluid" and "the wound exposes the muscle beneath the skin."  The second wound appeared "to be bite marks that have also gone down to the muscle layer below the skin."  Both wounds appeared to be at least a few days old as they were showing signs of healing and/or scabbing, but the wounds had not been observed by the licensee until the inspection. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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USDA

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Cory Mincey

Merlin ID: 512531

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During two USDA inspections in 2019, Cory Mincey was cited for a number of problems.  In September 2019, inspectors cited her for a brown poodle who was severely matted and a facility representative claimed the dog "had been that way since they had acquired the dog about three years ago."  The dog also had an oozing lesion under the mats that hadn't been treated.  Violations continued in November 2019 with excessive feces, some of which was "mashed, smeared and splattered" covering most of the floor in some outdoor enclosures, among other issues.From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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USDA

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Michelle Bernard

Merlin ID: 512513

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Michelle Bernard failed three times in a row to let USDA inspectors into the facility between June and September 2019.  When inspectors were finally let in in October they found "several of the dogs have significant all over matting.  Sheets of matting were noted on many." In addition, "a layer of feces" was observed in many enclosures and some of the dogs were soiled from the feces.  From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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USDA

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Connie West

Merlin ID: 512509

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During an October 2019 USDA inspection, Connie and Jimmy West were cited for multiple violations, including an excessive amount of "fecal matter, old soiled bedding and other debris scattered on the ground" where dogs were seen walking around in the feces.  In addition, some of the dogs were outside in the cold with only plastic barrels as shelter and some of the barrels were not big enough to adequately shelter the dogs.  From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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USDA

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Connie West

Merlin ID: 512505

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During an October 2019 USDA inspection, Connie and Jimmy West were cited for multiple violations, including an excessive amount of "fecal matter, old soiled bedding and other debris scattered on the ground" where dogs were seen walking around in the feces.  In addition, some of the dogs were outside in the cold with only plastic barrels as shelter and some of the barrels were not big enough to adequately shelter the dogs.  From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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USDA

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Teresa Heaver

Merlin ID: 512213

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Due to a consumer complaint about a puppy with alleged parvovirus, the IL Department of Agriculture visited Kabeara Kennels in December 2019.  Although state inspectors did not cite the kennel for any violations at the inspection, but photographs show puppies crowded in barren metal cages and in some parts of the building, the cages were stacked three high.  The dogs did not appear to have any bedding or solid flooring, and many did not appear to have enough room to turn around or lie down without walking over other dogs in the cage.  While these conditions may be legal in Illinois, it is far from what many people would consider humane. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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IL Department of Agriculture

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Sue Hagen

Merlin ID: 512209

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An AKC breeder named Sue Hagen, of Ladyview Kennel, had extremely filthy conditions with feces that had not been removed in "days or weeks" at her facility in September 2019.  At a follow-up inspection later that month, WI state inspectors again found dirty conditions noting that "dogs do not have a clean area within enclosures", among other issues. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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WI Department of Agriculture

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Sonia Williams

Merlin ID: 512203

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Sonia Williams of Salem Heights Doodles was investigated for selling a puppy in poor condition in October 2019 by the WI Department of Agriculture.  During the investigation, inspectors cited poor conditions at the kennel as well, including a strong odor through the kennel and dirty conditions.  At a re-inspection in December 2019, inspectors found many of the same problems, including wet enclosures that did not give the dogs any dry place to lie down and dirty conditions. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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WI Department of Agriculture

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Norman Gingerich

Merlin ID: 512191

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This photo shows filth piling up under wire-floored cages at a puppy mill owned by Norman Gingerich in Wisconsin. Gingerich was found operating without the required state license and producing puppies in poor conditions in July 2019.  Gingerich was apparently part of a network of about seven breeders who were producing puppies for Ryan Handly, an individual who lost his WI state license in 2019 after numerous violations, and is now selling in Florida and online.  Inspectors cited Gingerich for a strong odor, dirty conditions and puppies on wire mesh flooring with their feet passing through the gaps. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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WI Department of Agriculture

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Marlisa McAlmond

Merlin ID: 512187

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For at least four years in a row, Cedar Ridge Australians has been found with poor conditions and multiple dogs in obvious need of veterinary care.  Due to repeated issues and operating without a license for a few months, in 2019  the MO Attorney General filed a suit against Marlisa McAlmond in July 2019.  Yet, as recently as March 2020, several thin dogs were found at the facility, along with wet enclosures containing standing water, causing some dogs to become muddy, among other issues. Additional issues were found previously in June 2019 with additional dogs in need of veterinary care, unsanitary conditions, inadequate shelters, some dogs without protection from the wind and rain, some dogs without water or water that was contaminated with a "build up of debris and/or green algae." From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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MO Department of Agriculture

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Marlisa McAlmond

Merlin ID: 512185

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For at least four years in a row, Cedar Ridge Australians has been found with poor conditions and multiple dogs in obvious need of veterinary care.  Due to repeated issues and operating without a license for a few months, in 2019  the MO Attorney General filed a suit against Marlisa McAlmond in July 2019.  Yet, as recently as March 2020, several thin dogs were found at the facility, along with wet enclosures containing standing water, causing some dogs to become muddy, among other issues. Additional issues were found previously in June 2019 with additional dogs in need of veterinary care, unsanitary conditions, inadequate shelters, some dogs without protection from the wind and rain, some dogs without water or water that was contaminated with a "build up of debris and/or green algae." From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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MO Department of Agriculture

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Marlisa McAlmond

Merlin ID: 512183

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For at least four years in a row, Cedar Ridge Australians has been found with poor conditions and multiple dogs in obvious need of veterinary care.  Due to repeated issues and operating without a license for a few months, in 2019  the MO Attorney General filed a suit against Marlisa McAlmond in July 2019.  Yet, as recently as March 2020, several thin dogs were found at the facility, along with wet enclosures containing standing water, causing some dogs to become muddy, among other issues. Additional issues were found previously in June 2019 with additional dogs in need of veterinary care, unsanitary conditions, inadequate shelters, some dogs without protection from the wind and rain, some dogs without water or water that was contaminated with a "build up of debris and/or green algae." From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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MO Department of Agriculture

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Cheryl Kinder

Merlin ID: 512169

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Cheryl Kinder failed two consecutive state inspections in 2019 for issues including seven dogs in need of veterinary care, some dogs without water, some weaning kennels that did not meet minimum cage size requirements and cages that were stacked, which is against state law.  This photograph taken at a September inspection shows cages stacked at least three high and all three levels of cages were filled with puppies who appeared to have barely enough space to stand upright. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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OH Department of Agriculture

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Amanda Gauge

Merlin ID: 512161

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An emaciated mother dog was pregnant with seven puppies when she and over 30 other dogs were rescued from an AKC breeder in Caldwell County, NC in 2019.  Four of her puppies died at birth and she only weighed about 40 pounds at the time.  The three surviving puppies were in critical condition and required round the clock care. Other dogs removed that day were also sick or emaciated.  Cruelty charges are pending, but the case is ongoing as of April 14, 2020. From the HSUS Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills, May 2020.

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MI Puppy Mill Investigation

Broll from a puppy mill investigation of breeder Paul Steury in Michigan in July 2019.