Advertisement 9 Iowa puppy mills named among nation’s ‘Horrible Hundred’ Humane Society of the United States releases annual report Share Shares Copy Link Copy

For the fifth year in a row, Iowa has had an overwhelming number of problem breeders and dealers in an annual report that aims to shed light on problematic commercial dog breeders. The Humane Society of the United States recently published the "Horrible Hundred," an annual report that compiles a list of known, problematic breeding and/or puppy brokering facilities. It's designed to raise awareness that if you buy puppies from the internet or pet stores, you could be supporting puppy mills. Last year, Iowa had the second-highest number of dealers in the report with 15. This year, Iowa has nine facilities on the list, seven of which are repeat offenders that appeared on the list in previous years. The Humane Society said data was difficult to gather because of the United States Department of Agriculture’s removal in February of all animal welfare inspection reports and most enforcement records from its websites, though some records were restored last month. The information in the report is a compilation of records from state inspection data in states that inspect puppy mills, as well as from available court records, consumer complaints, investigator visits and media reports. Advocates for animal rights say Iowa is notoriously a safe haven for offending dog breeders due to a restraint in animal cruelty laws, weak enforcement and powerful agricultural groups that resist stricter regulations. Scott Wilson, animal welfare intervention coordinator at Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said he’s removed nearly 300 dogs from puppy mills and that U.S. Department of Agriculture and state standards for puppy mill owners are not strict enough. Critics argue, however, that stronger regulations and penalties would hurt dog breeders who haven’t done anything illegal or inhumane. Mindi Callison, founder of the nonprofit organization Bailing Out Benji, said she’s dedicated to raising social consciousness of various animal welfare issues, especially puppy mills. “You just don’t sleep at night when you know that there are dogs suffering,” Callison told KCCI in September. “Reputable breeders want you to meet the puppies. They want you to meet the parents, and they want you to pick the right match for you.” Bailing Out Benji workers seek to educate dog owners on how to properly care for their animals and to first purchase a dog from a shelter or an adoption agency. The group has been featured in the Netflix documentary “Dog By Dog.” “They don’t sell to pet stores because reputable breeders care about where their puppies are going,” Callison said. “They want to make sure it’s a forever home, not just because you have the cash or the credit card.” These Iowa locations made the 2017 list: A. G. Beukelman, Orange City, Iowa -- Bulldog had untreated eye problem; dead mice found floating in dogs’ drinking water.Captiva Kennel, Inc., Redding, Iowa -- Repeat violation for puppies in need of veterinary care, including a skinny puppy with hair loss and a lethargic puppy who “cried out when she was touched.”Gary Felts, Black Diamond Kennel, Kingsley, Iowa (repeat offender) -- Owner sentenced to three years of probation for failing to pay animal welfare fines; inspectors found sick/injured dogs.Lucille Godfrey, Bussey, Iowa (repeat offender) -- Repeat violations for dogs in need of veterinary care, including one with a foot lesion, others with hair loss and ear, eye or dental disease.Helene Hamrick, Wolf Point Kennel, Ackworth, Iowa (repeat offender) -- Repeated problems with sick dogs; bichon had “thick, yellow-green” discharge covering eye.Connie and Harold Johnson, CW’s Quaint Critters, Melvin, Iowa (repeat offender) -- Puppies on wire flooring had feet falling through; strong odors a recurring problem.Steve Kruse, Stonehenge Kennel, West Point, Iowa (repeat offender) -- At least 41 dogs found in need of veterinary care since 2015, including some with deep lacerations, oozing wounds; licensee received previous USDA suspension for tossing bag of dead puppies at an inspector.Lora Lampe, Salem, Iowa (repeat offender) -- Dogs with open wounds; limping dog; one dog had such a severe eye issue that the inspector was unable to open the eye.Henry Sommers, Cincinnati, Iowa (repeat offender) -- “Weak and limp” puppy found unresponsive; another puppy had crusted eyes; Yorkies had hair loss and scabs.