PENNSYLVANIA — The Humane Society of the United States has exposed 100 puppy mills and problem dog sellers in its annual “Horrible Hundred” list of problem breeders in Pennsylvania and elsewhere in America. Some of the Keystone State breeders have appeared in this report multiple times and are still operating despite multiple state citations and warnings, according to the HSUS.
The report, published each May, details the often dirty and unhealthy conditions in which dogs and their offspring are raised at high-volume breeding facilities that sell puppies to pet stores or through their own websites, meaning that the puppies could end up anywhere.
The Humane Society said Missouri had the most dealers in the nation, for the 11th straight year, with 31 dealers identified. Pennsylvania had eight in the 2023 report, which was fourth on the list. Iowa and Ohio each had 13.
“Since we published our first report in 2013, at least 1,650 dogs have been rescued from former Horrible Hundred merchants who closed their doors,” the Humane Society said in its report. Report 2023. “But even though many puppy mills have closed, some that were in the report five, six, or even more times remain in operation despite recurring and egregious animal care violations. The HSUS urges authorities to take action. tougher action against repeat offenders and to adopt tougher policies to prevent poor conditions from escalating into animal cruelty.”
This report does not identify “the worst dog breeders in the country,” the Humane Society added, because many breeders are never inspected and documentation of their operation may never be publicly available.
Here are the eight Pennsylvania dealers the Humane Society has listed on the “Horrible Hundred” list and what inspectors found. Click here to read the full national report.
Happy Paws, New Providence
- “During inspections in May 2022, September 2022, and March 2023, state authorities found multiple violations at Blissful Paws and issued citations each time. Some of the issues included tangled dogs, unsanitary conditions, and the non-compliance with regular veterinary examinations.”
Little Puppies Online LLC aka Pennsylvania Puppies Online, Red Lion (affiliates also listed in 2020, 2017)
- “During a state inspection in September 2022, Little Puppies Online Kennel received a warning for several issues, including some crates containing puppies that were so cramped they couldn’t turn around, stand or sit and lie down normally. At the time, there were over 100 puppies there.”
Eichenluft Working German Shepherds, Newville (also listed in 2017-2020 and in 2022)
- HSUS says the state issued a verbal and written warning to this facility in December 2022, which was one of many Margaret Graf owners amassed since 2010. “The warning was due to issues such as multiple dogs that did not lacked adequate protection from the cold.Inspectors also found a lack of proper vaccination paperwork and other records.Previous issues included chronic veterinary problems as well as operating without the proper license.
Steve’s Kennels, Lancaster
- “Between late June and early September 2022, state inspectors issued two verbal and written warnings to Steve’s Kennels. The issues were related to unsanitary conditions, such as water bowls with greenish growths and excessive feces , and unsafe housing that could injure dogs.”.
Woodland Puppies, Honey Brook
- Placed in state quarantine in January 2023 due to an outbreak of canine brucellosis, which is a reportable disease in the state. “Many other violations were found in 2022, including repeated issues with undersized enclosures and a lack of veterinary records.”
Stoltzfus puppies, Allenwood
- Between May 2022 and February 2023, state officials cited Stoltzfus for 25 violations according to the Humane Society. “Problems included selling puppies to a pet store without the necessary license, enclosures that were too small, and the lack of a veterinary care program. Commercial breeders are also required to have a federal license to sell puppies to pet stores. , but as of April 28, 2023, HSUS researchers have found no sign of an active USDA license for Stoltzfus puppies or anyone named Stoltzfus in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
Turkey Hill Kennel, East Earl (also listed in 2013-2015 and in 2017).
- The HSUS says owners of Turkey Hill Kennel have been instructed to have their dogs checked at least 10 times. “There were nearly 100 dogs on the property at the last available inspection. Issues detected in previous years included dogs housed in dark, dirty conditions with poor air quality.”
Kennel Oak Ridge, Mannheim
- “State inspectors found violations during four different Oak Ridge Kennel inspections between August 2022 and March 2023, and issued two verbal and written warnings and two citations on separate dates. The issues included a dog with a neck injury that seemed to have been around “a while”, repeated problems with some dogs being kept in undersized cages, and unsanitary conditions with an accumulation of dust, dirt and dead insects.
Several owners of the company told PennLive that the Humane Society is exaggerate how serious it is the allegations against them were, while others declined to comment.
The Humane Society said members of the public can do their part to end puppy mills “by choosing adoption first when acquiring a pet, or buying only from carefully selected breeders who ‘they meet in person’.