Iowa dog breeders accountable for 36% of all offenses in the U.S. in 2015

Callison pointed out the current case of Henry Sommers, an Appanoose County breeder who was fined $12,600 late in 2015 and was more just recently charged with 7 counts of animal overlook.

“After a decade of repeat violations, it took complaints from a third-party organization and an investigation from the sheriff to finally shut that facility down,” Callison said. “His license was never revoked by the USDA.”

Bailing Out Benji just recently finished an evaluation of all USDA offenses pointed out at breeders in the 4th quarter of 2022. Throughout that duration, 9 Iowa breeders were pointed out for offenses — the 2nd greatest number in the country. Missouri topped the fourth-quarter list, with 17 of its breeders pointed out for offenses in between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

The Iowa lawbreakers in the 4th quarter of 2022 were:

Steve Kruse of Stonehenge Kennel, West Point: After being pointed out for offenses in the very first, 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2022, Kruse was pointed out for one repeat, direct offense in December. The offense referred to the business’ participating in vet and insufficient veterinary look after 8 of the dogs. Kruse was likewise pointed out for 4 noncritical offenses relating to real estate centers, main enclosures, feeding, and veterinary look after dogs.

The inspector declared a male dog was observed shaking its head consistently – a typical indication of an ear infection. The inspector discovered that the dog’s inner ideal ear was red, with numerous little scabs, and there was an accumulation of oily brown product within the ear canal. The dog wasn’t being dealt with for the problem.

The inspector likewise discovered a female terrier with “a heavy buildup of a hard, thick, brown material encasing 50% to 80% of all the teeth on both sides of the mouth.” In some locations, the terrier’s gum tissue was inflamed, red and declining far from the roots of the teeth. The condition was not being dealt with.

In addition, there was a a dog with reddened eyes and a thick, green, mucus-like discharge from both eyes.  Kruse had actually not discovered the condition of the dog’s eyes and no treatment was being supplied.

The inspector likewise made note of a female bulldog with reddened skin and loss of hair in addition to an inflamed left front paw. The very same dog’s ears were “thickened with a cobblestone-like appearance” and were marked by scabs and indications of infection. “The current condition of this animal has not been noticed and no treatment is being provided or has been planned,” the inspector reported.

The bulldog likewise had a big swelling on her abdominal areas that showed a possible hernia that might be the reason for discomfort and pain for the dog. The prospective hernia had actually not been discovered by Krause prior to the assessment and no treatment was being supplied.

Another dog at the kennel was discovered to have big locations of loss of hair on its back and trunk, with reddened skin and indications of a prospective infection or skin inflammation. A female dog was kept in mind to have “significantly matted” hair with a couple of “rope-like mats” and thick, firm clumps of hair that were matted securely versus the dog’s skin.

The inspector likewise analyzed one enclosure which contained 3 little Maltese dogs. “The legs of the smallest dog fell through the holes in the flooring multiple times,” the inspector reported.

Daniel Kauffman of Dee Kay Bulldogs, Bloomfield: Throughout a regular assessment in October, Kauffman was pointed out for one noncritical offense relating to recordkeeping. The inspector declared there was no stock info on hand associated to 15 puppies at the business.

Kauffman offers to pet merchants in a minimum of 5 states, according to federal government records obtained by Bailing Out Benji. Prior to the 2022 see, Kauffman’s business was last examined in 2019 when it was running under a various license.

Eli Schrock of Hillview Kennels, Drakesville: Throughout a November see, a USDA inspector pointed out Schrock for 2 noncritical offenses relating to veterinary look after dogs. The inspector declared the business had none of the needed records revealing puppies were being effectively dewormed or immunized for Bordetella, a germs connected with breathing illness in dogs.

Schrock offers to pet merchants in a minimum of 8 states, according to federal government records gathered by Bailing Out Benji.

Henry Detweiler, Fairbank: Throughout a November see, a USDA inspector pointed out Detweiler for 6 noncritical offenses relating to the business’ participating in vet, insufficient veterinary care and recordkeeping.

The inspector declared Detweiler was dealing with dogs’ diarrhea with a dietary supplement planned for livestock, called Knock Out, and did so without seeking advice from a vet. Likewise, a minimum of 8 adult dogs were not up to date on distemper, Parvovirus and rabies vaccines. In addition, Detweiler had not tested 10% of the kennel’s animals for intestinal parasites as required according to the business’ own veterinary care program.

Henry Sommers of Happy Puppy, Cincinnati: After being cited for violation in the first, second and third quarters of 2022, Happy Puppy – also known as Happy Puppys and Happy Puppies – was inspected by the USDA in November and cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to housing facilities for the dogs.

In December, the USDA fined Sommers $12,600 for violations cited between 2019 and 2022. Last week, Sommers was criminally charged with seven counts of animal neglect. Sommers has sold dogs to pet retailers in at least one state, according to government records collected by Bailing Out Benji.

Jodie Manning of Blue Bird Ranch, Monona: During a November visit, a USDA inspector cited Manning for one noncritical violation pertaining to cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping and pest control.

The inspector alleged excrement was not being removed from the kennels on a timely basis. Underneath two indoor enclosures, the inspector reported finding a “pool of urine and organic material.” The inspector reported there was “an obvious odor in the kennel.”

Blue Bird Ranch has sold dogs to at least one pet store in Connecticut and to the broker JAKS, according to government records collected by Bailing Out Benji. Blue Bird Ranch is a new licensee, but the business was cited for violations the first quarter of 2022 when it operated under a now-canceled license under the name of Julie Halverson.

Loren Yoder, Riverside: After being cited for violations in the first, second and third quarters of 2022, Yoder was issued an official warning from the USDA for violations found during a September visit. Yoder has since canceled his USDA license.

Scott Swanson of S & J Kennel (Site No. 2), Ollie: After being cited for violations in the second quarter of 2022, Swanson was cited for two noncritical violations during a November inspection by the USDA. The violations pertained to housing facilities and veterinary care for dogs.

The inspector alleged the metal feeders used to deliver food to puppies were damaged, with broken metal at the corners, creating jagged and sharp edges that were coming into direct contact with the dogs.

Also, 8 French bulldog puppies had actually no written medical records documenting any vaccinations and deworming treatments they were to have received. Swanson sells dogs to at least one pet retailer in Virginia, according to government records collected by Bailing Out Benji.

Stephen Schrock of Shady Lawn Kennel, Bloomfield: During an October inspection, USDA officials pointed out Schrock for one noncritical offense relating to primary enclosures for animals. The inspector alleged there was a gap in the kennel flooring large enough to let a dog’s foot pass through, creating a risk of injury.

Stephen Schrock sells dogs to pet merchants in a minimum of five states, according to federal government records gathered by Bailing Out Benji.