Iowa again leads the nation in puppy mill violations

Iowa again leads the nation in the number of puppy mill violations, but so far this year the Iowa Legislature doesn’t appear ready to address the issue.

During the last quarter of 2023, Iowa breeders and kennels racked up 34 violations, more than any other state in the nation. Wisconsin placed second, with 33 violations, followed by Missouri with 26, Ohio with 19 and Indiana with 18.

Two of the Iowa breeders who were cited for violations are the subject of criminal referrals by the Iowa-based animal-welfare group Bailing Out Benji, the organization that compiles quarterly data on violators throughout the nation.

The organization’s founder, Mindi Callison, said Wednesday that Iowa lawmakers should consider legislation that would fix a major “loophole” in the standards required of Iowa’s dog breeders.

Breeders who do business exclusively in Iowa by selling directly to consumers rather than to third-party brokers must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Breeders and brokers who sell to customers out of state are required to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In 2020, a set of administrative rules outlining new minimum standards of care for the state-licensed breeders was approved, but the state’s USDA-licensed breeders were exempted from the standards.

“That allows this cruelty to continue and thousands of dogs to suffer,” Callison said. “We need our state to step up and put an end to the legal suffering of animals in Iowa.”

The difference in the standards imposed on Iowa’s USDA-licensed breeders and its state-licensed breeders is stark. The federal regulations, for example, don’t require breeders to remove dogs from their cages or enclosures, but the state-regulated breeders must do so at least twice in each 24-hour period so the animals can exercise — unless their cages are large enough to allow exercise.

Also, the cages used by the USDA-licensed breeders are required to provide just six inches of space around a dog’s body. The state-regulated breeders must provide cages or enclosures with “adequate space” for a dog to comfortably reposition, turn, stand erect, sit or lie down with limbs fully extended.

Callison said several state lawmakers are aware of the situation, but legislation to address the issue has not progressed. House File 2039, dealing with the inspection process for commercial breeders and other businesses, was introduced late last month but it has not been approved by a subcommittee for further consideration.

Among the Iowa breeders cited for violations in the last three months of 2023:

Dennis and Donna Van Wyk of Prairie Lane Kennel, New Sharon – At the time of their Dec. 6 inspection, the Van Wyks had 32 adult dogs and 10 puppies on hand. They were cited for two noncritical violations related to housing and watering. The inspector reported that eight enclosures housing 12 adult dogs and three puppies had an excessive buildup of feces in them.

“The large-breed dogs were seen stepping in it and had fecal material on their paws,” the inspector reported. “In the enclosure with three dachshund puppies, about 50% of the floor space was covered with dry, matted down feces and puppies were seen sitting on it.”

The inspector also reported that an enclosure housing three dachshund puppies had an empty water bowl and the puppies were unable to reach a separate water-dispensing device inside the enclosure. The Van Wyks also were cited for violations in the first quarter of 2023.

Ed Van Doorn of Squaw Creek Kennels, Barnes City – At the time of this Nov. 1 inspection, Van Doorn had 114 dogs and 50 puppies on hand. He was cited for one critical violation for health certifications and animal identification, and two noncritical violations related to veterinary care.

According to the USDA, Van Doorn acknowledged he performed most of the neutering operations on dogs at his kennel without any veterinary supervision. The surgeries were performed in what the USDA described as “a multi-use room used for grooming, surgeries and other procedures,” using Van Doorn’s own equipment and instruments.

On at least four occasions, Van Doorn allegedly filled out forms showing the disposition of dogs by indicating they had been shipped to a shelter in Florida. On the accompanying health certificate indicating the dogs were in good health, an entirely different entity was listed as having received the dogs. According to the USDA, Van Doorn’s attending veterinarian confirmed that Van Doorn was filling out the health certificates for the animals with information that wasn’t accurate.

Van Doorn was issued an official USDA warning stemming from the inspection, and Bailing Out Benji filed a complaint against Van Doorn with county law enforcement over the concerns that Van Doorn’s practices violated Iowa law. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the county attorney have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Heath Meyers of Century Farm Puppies, Grundy Center – At the time of this Oct. 19 inspection, Meyers had 131 dogs and 104 puppies on hand. Meyers was cited for two repeat non-critical violations pertaining to housing facilities and veterinary care for dogs. The inspector noted that Meyers was not maintaining records of treatment and veterinary care for a litter of puppies being treated for a cough. Meyers was cited for violations in the first and third quarters of 2023, and he received an official warning from the USDA during the year.

Helene Hamrick of Wolf Point Kennel, Ackworth – At the time of this Oct. 12 inspection, Hamrick had 48 dogs and six puppies on hand. Hamrick was cited for three noncritical violations pertaining to veterinary care.

The inspector noted that ear medication used to treat a female sheltie had expired in February 2020, and another dog exhibited signs of poor dental health, with 50% or more of its upper teeth “covered in a dark brown organic material” and its gums “heavily thickened and hard to the touch.”

In addition, Hamrick had not consulted with a veterinarian regarding the conditions and medical treatments of two dogs with injuries. Hamrick was also cited for violations in the first quarter of 2023.

James and Sarah Yoder of Taylor Ridge Kennel, Bloomfield – At the time of this Dec. 26 inspection, the Yoders had 22 dogs and 10 puppies on hand. They were cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to veterinary care. The inspector reported the Yoders had no written plan outlining the frequency of vaccinations for distemper or parvovirus, and there was no written plan for the prevention or treatment of blood parasites or intestinal parasites. Bailing Out Benji reports that federal records show the Yoders have sold dogs to pet stores in at least seven states.

Jo Anna and Marvin Newswanger of Maple Tree Kennels, Alta Vista – At the time of this Nov. 1 inspection, the Newswangers had 287 adult dogs and 175 puppies on hand. They were cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to incompatible groupings of dogs within enclosures. Bailing Out Benji reports that federal records show the Newswangers have sold dogs to pet stores in at least seven states.

Kerri Shondel of Shondel Puppy Paws, Moulton – At the time of this Dec. 11 inspection, Shondel had 10 dogs and 13 puppies on hand. She was cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to housing facilities.

“Eight enclosures housing nine adult dogs and 12 puppies have an excessive buildup of feces in the outdoor side of their sheltered enclosures,” the inspector reported. “The licensee stated that the enclosures had not been cleaned in three or four days.”

Bailing Out Benji reports that it has records of Shondel selling dogs to pet stores in Florida.

Henry Detweiler of Detweiler’s Kennel, Fairbank – At the time of this Oct. 26 inspection, Detweiler had 21 dogs and seven puppies on hand. He was cited for one direct violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs and three noncritical violations pertaining to a failure to maintain adequate records documenting the acquisition and disposition of dogs, a failure to properly identify all of the dogs, and the misuse of collar tags to identify dogs.

The inspector also observed a male cocker spaniel with severely matted hair. “Both ears were solid, tight matting and no skin could be observed,” the inspector reported. “All four feet had long, overgrown hair with mats present between the toes and on top of each foot … Additionally, the nails were severely overgrown and curled to the sides.”

The inspector also reported finding a male poodle whose hair was severely matted and overgrown, obscuring the dog’s eyes. The matted hair was infused with feces and the dog’s nails were overgrown and curling. In addition, a dachshund was found to have severely overgrown toenails and poor dental health, with some teeth coated in brown organic material and the gums reddened.

Detweiler was issued an official USDA warning as a result of the findings. On Dec. 4, the inspector returned and cited Detweiler for one noncritical violation pertaining to veterinary care. The inspector noted that a female cocker spaniel had overgrown, curled-under toenails and matted hair on all four feet. Detweiler, who has since canceled his USDA license, was also cited for violations in the first quarter of 2023.

Marvin Troyer of Quarter Lane Kennel, Bloomfield – At the time of this Nov. 21 inspection, Troyer had 50 dogs and 35 puppies on hand. Troyer was cited for three noncritical violations pertaining to veterinary care. Bailing Out Benji reports that it has records of Troyer selling dogs to pet stores in Connecticut and Virginia.

Freeman Helmuth of Sunrise Kennels, Corydon – At the time of this Nov. 7 inspection, Helmuth had 51 dogs and 18 puppies on hand. Helmuth was cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to housing facilities and the presence of vermin.

The inspector noted that a bag of dog food had been chewed open, with “spilled pieces of kibble and rodent feces on the pallet in the immediate area around the hole. The hole is round and has ragged edges indicating rodents likely chewed it open.” Helmuth was also cited for violations in the second quarter of 2023.

Elias H. Mast of Shady Ridge Kennels, Bloomfield – At the time of this Oct. 23 inspection, Mast had 28 dogs and 19 puppies on hand. He was cited for one repeat noncritical violation, with the inspector noting that the temperature inside the refrigerator where vaccines were stored was 52 degrees – too warm to ensure the vaccines’ effectiveness in preventing serious and deadly diseases. Mast was cited for this same violation, along with others, in February 2023.

Karen and Douglas Brumm of Ashland Farm, Ansgar – At the time of this Oct. 25 inspection, the Brumms had 30 dogs and six puppies. The Brumms were cited for one noncritical violation pertaining to cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping and pest control.

“The licensee does not sanitize the outdoor housing floors, dog houses or caging,” the inspector wrote. “The licensee states sanitizing is done approximately two times per year. Failure to sanitize enclosures may increase the risk of disease hazards towards the dogs.”

Wuanita Swedlund, Cantril – At the time of this Dec. 21 inspection, Swedlund’s kennel – owned by another Iowa breeder, Steve Kruse – had 102 dogs and 55 puppies on hand. Swedlund was cited for one direct violation pertaining to veterinary care; one critical violation pertaining to the handling of animals; and eight noncritical violations pertaining to veterinary care, time and method of animal identification, recordkeeping, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, and veterinary care for dogs.

The inspector found that eight dogs had died at the kennel under questionable circumstances. A French bulldog named Bethany had given birth to four puppies, three of which were found dead within days. Swedlund allegedly told the inspector “the puppies must have gotten too cold and passed away,”

Three other puppies, born to a rottweiler, were found dead at the kennel, with Swedlund allegedly telling inspectors “they must have gotten too cold and died,” the inspector reported.

In addition, a puppy born to Megan, a sheepdog, had to be euthanized after a dog in a nearby enclosure chewed through the wall into the puppy’s enclosure and tore the flesh from one leg, leaving the bone exposed. A short time later, a sheepdog puppy from the same litter was determined to be missing. “The licensee states they did find a single bone and assumed Megan ate her puppy,” the inspector reported.

Bailing Out Benji filed a complaint against Swedlund with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, which agreed to investigate the matter for potential criminal violations. Charges have not been filed in the case.

In January, the USDA issued Swedlund a warning related to the violations.