Ohio’s Puppy Mill Crisis: Why We Must Hold the ODA Accountable
Ohio is at a breaking point when it comes to protecting dogs trapped in the abusive world of puppy mills. Despite clear laws meant to safeguard animal welfare, our state government continues to turn a blind eye to suffering—allowing breeders to perform painful surgeries, skip veterinary care, and profit off cruelty.
According to the 2025 Horrible Hundred report by Humane World for Animals, Ohio ranks as the second worst state in the nation for puppy mills, with 16 facilities named among the worst in the U.S. These operations were cited for offenses ranging from tail docking with unapproved tools to housing animals in filthy, dangerous conditions without basic medical care.
But here’s the most disturbing part: many of these breeders are repeat offenders, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)—the agency charged with enforcement—isn’t doing enough to stop them.
The Root of the Problem
Ohio Revised Code 956.031(V) clearly states: "If a surgical or euthanasia procedure is required, use a veterinarian to perform the procedure.” Yet in December 2022, ODA passed a rule permitting breeders to perform surgeries like tail docking without anesthesia and without a veterinarian—as long as they follow a so-called “how-to manual.”
This dangerous loophole effectively legalized non-veterinarians cutting through bone, tissue, and blood vessels of days-old puppies, opening the door to widespread botched surgeries and unchecked pain.
The Horrible Hundred report confirms that this rule has real consequences. Breeders like Raymond J. Yoder of Fresno were caught repeatedly using unapproved instruments to dock tails, while Atlee M. Miller of Sugarcreek was found cutting dewclaws off 4-to-10-day-old puppies without anesthesia. These are not isolated incidents—they are systemic failures.
Our Past Victories—and Ongoing Fight
In Spring 2022, OAA successfully challenged ODA’s original proposal at the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), proving it violated Ohio law. But when ODA returned with only minor changes—mainly adding a "manual"—JCARR reversed course and allowed it to pass.
Now, Ohio’s dogs are paying the price.
What You Can Do Today
Governor Mike DeWine is the only person with legal authority over the ODA. We’re calling on you to help us flood his office with messages demanding accountability.
Use our sample letter or write your own. Urge him to:
Enforce ORC 956.031(V) as written
End the practice of allowing breeders to perform surgeries
Investigate repeat offenders like those listed in the Horrible Hundred
Commit to humane standards that truly protect Ohio’s animals
And don’t stop there—share this alert with friends and family, post on social media, and help spread the word.
Ohio’s dogs can’t speak for themselves. But you can. Let’s hold the ODA accountable—before another puppy suffers.
