Bailing Out Benji is a national nonprofit organization that exists to provide transparency into the puppy mill industry. We forensically audit government health records and inspection reports in order to connect puppy mills and commercial dog breeders to the various outlets in which they sell. We pay for many of these documents and then make them available for free on our website and to the public in order to provide the transparency that the public deserves before buying a puppy.
To see our pet store and online broker research, click here.
According to the USDA: An inspection report documents an inspector’s observations and professional assessments of compliance at facilities regulated under the AWA. Below we have compiled a list of all of the USDA dog breeders and brokers that have had violations in Quarter 2 of 2023.
This time period is from April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023.
Editors note: USDA inspectors have 5 days to give a copy of their inspection to the licensee and 30 days to publish their reports online. There may be additional facilities we add to this list once more inspection reports are added to the database.
Omitted from these violations are missed inspections, unless those missed inspections are habitual. The list below also only reflects dog and cat breeders and brokers (licenses A and B).
This list of violations below was obtained from the USDA APHIS search engine. Any pet store connections were obtained from various state departments of agriculture.
You can view our previous 2023 Quarterly Violation Reports here.
If you have any questions about the breeders listed on this report or our methodology for obtaining this information, please email our research analyst: Alexis Bell, research@bailingoutbenji.com
This time period is from April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023.
Official USDA Warnings, Complaints, and Decisions
Ada Yoder (45 adult dogs, 59 puppies). Utica, Minnesota- At the time of their April 12, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 1 direct violation pertaining to sheltered housing facilities and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs. Has not been inspected since 2021. Yoder received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations they received on April 12, 2023. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in at least 3 states. Ada Yoder 4.12.23 ; USDA Warning Ada Yoder
Amos Allgyer, Pawfect Puppies (22 adult puppies, 15 puppies). Platteville, Wisconsin- At the time of their May 16, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Allgyer received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (7 dogs affected by violation) and 3 non-critical violations pertaining to form of official tag, records, veterinary care for dogs. Allgyer received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 16, 2023. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in at least 7 states. This facility also had violations in 2022. Amos Allgyer 5.16.23 USDA Warning Amos Allgyer
Cody Zimmerman (52 adult dogs, 13 puppies). Seymour, Missouri- Zimmerman received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations they received on March 17, 2023. USDA Warning Cody Zimmerman
David Horning (111 adult dogs, 10 puppies). Ionia, Iowa- Horning received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations they received on February 28, 2023, and has since canceled their license. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in at least 2 states. USDA Warning David Horning
David Weaver (39 adult dogs, 46 puppies). Millersburg, Ohio- At the time of their April 5, 2023, USDA re-license inspection, Weaver received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (4 dogs affected by violation). Weaver also received 1 non-critical violation pertaining to housing facilities. This facility had not been inspected since 2021. Weaver also received 1 non-critical violation on May 23, 2023, and 1 non-critical violation on June 8, 2023, for attempted inspections. Weaver received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on April 5, 2023. David Weaver 4.5.23 ; David Weaver 5.23.23; David Weaver 6.8.23 ; USDA Warning David Weaver
Enos Shetler (36 adult dogs, 46 puppies). Fredericktown, Ohio- On May 1, 2023, during a USDA routine inspection, Shetler received 1 critical violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care that involved the death of 4 puppies. Shetler also received 1 non-critical violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs during this inspection. Shetler received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 1, 2023. Shetler has since canceled his license (31-A-0867). We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in Connecticut and to the broker Preferred Canines. Enos Shetler 5.1.23 USDA Warning Enos Shetler
Heath Meyers, Century Farm Puppies (225 adult dogs, 128 puppies). Grundy Center, Iowa- Meyers received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations they received on March 1, 2023. USDA Warning Heath Meyers
Janice Eminger, C&J’s Happy Tails. Joplin, Missouri- For her violations of the AWA, Erminger has had her USDA license revoked. Decision and Order of License Revocation Janice Eminger
Marshall Farms Group LTD (14060 adult dogs, 7586 puppies, 560 adult cats, 257 kittens). North Rose, New York- At the time of their May 15, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Marshall Farms Group received 1 critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures (1 deceased kitten affected by violation) and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. Has a long history of violations. On June 12, 2023, Marshall Farms Group LTD received 2 non-critical violations pertaining to housing facilities and employees. Marshall Farms Group received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 15, 2023. This facility breeds for research facilities. Marshall Farms Group LTD 5.15.23 ; Marshall Farms Group LTD 6.12.23 ; USDA Warning Marshall Farms Group
Marvin A. Yoder (13 adult dogs, 14 puppies). Baltic, Ohio- At the time of their April 10, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 1 critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures. Yoder received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on April 10, 2023. Marvin A. Yoder 4.10.23 USDA Warning Marvin A. Yoder
Mary Moore, D&M Kennel (228 adult dogs, 55 puppies). Uniontown, Kansas- Moore also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023 and in 2022. During a USDA-focused inspection on May 2, 2023, Moore received 13 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification, records, housing facilities, sheltered housing facilities, primary enclosures, feeding, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, employees, and veterinary care for dogs. During a routine inspection performed on May 2, 2023, Moore received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (14 dogs and 3 puppies affected by violation). During another focused inspection on May 3, 2023, Moore received 1 repeat direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (18 dogs affected by violation). On her May 4, 2023, focused inspection, Moore received 1 non-critical violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (1 dog affected by violation). On May 30, 2023, Moore received 14 non-critical violations most of which were repeat violations from previous inspections, and 2 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (a repeat violation) and sheltered housing facilities. On May 31, 2023, Moore received 1 repeat direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. On June 22, 2023, Moore received 2 repeat non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification and records. Moore received a 21-Day suspension for violations received between May 25, 2022, and May 31, 2023. We have records of this facility selling to a pet store in Massachusetts and to the broker JAKS. Mary Moore 5.2.23 (1); Mary Moore 5.2.23; Mary Moore 5.3.23 ; Mary Moore 5.4.23 ; Mary Moore 5.30.23 (1) ; Mary Moore 5.30.23 ; Mary Moore 5.31.23 ; Mary Moore 6.22.23 ; 21 Day Suspension Mary Moore 6.5.2023
Mose Miller, Maple View Miller AKA Maple View Kennel (26 adult dogs and 35 puppies). Baltic, Ohio- At the time of their April 25, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Miller received 4 non-critical violations pertaining to contingency planning, housing facilities, veterinary care for dogs, and cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. On May 2, 2023, during another routine inspection, Miller received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (2 dogs affected by violation) and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs. On May 16, 2023, Miller received 1 non-critical violation for an attempted inspection. Miller received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 2, 2023. Mose Miller 4.25.23 ; Mose Miller 5.2.23 ; Mose Miller 5.16.23 ; USDA Warning Mose Miller
Randy Swartzentruber (65 adult dogs, 43 puppies). Halfway, Missouri- Swartzentruber received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on March 6, 2023. USDA Warning Randy Swartzentruber
Simeon (Sim) Lapp ( 17 adult dogs, 7 puppies). Darlington, Wisconsin- At the time of their April 20, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Lapp received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (1 deceased puppy and 1 other puppy affected by violation), and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to records. This facility had not been inspected since 2021. Lapp received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on April 20, 2023. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in at least 3 states. Simeon Lapp 4.20.23 USDA Warning Simeon Lapp
Sylvia Yoder (7 adult dogs, 13 puppies). Somerset, Ohio- At the time of their April 24, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 7 non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, records, housing facilities, primary enclosures, and veterinary care for dogs. Recently licensed in 2022. On May 9, 2023, during a routine inspection, Yoder received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. Yoder received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 9, 2023. Sylvia Yoder 4.24.23 ; Sylvia Yoder 5.9.23 ; USDA Warning Sylvia Yoder
Direct Violations this Quarter (violations at the time of inspection having serious or severe adverse effects on the welfare of the animals):
Misty Means (22 adult dogs, 10 puppies). Ash Flat, Arkansas- At the time of their June 14, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Means received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 2 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification and records. Misty Means 6.14.23
Peggy Shaw (96 adult dogs, 74 puppies). Wilber, Nebraska- At the time of their June 16, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Shaw received 2 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care and primary enclosures. Shaw also received 1 non-critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures. Peggy Shaw 6.16.23
Steve Kruse, Stonehenge Kennel (435 adult dogs). West Point, Iowa- Kruse also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023 and in 2022. At the time of their April 19, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Kruse received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (15 dogs affected by violation), and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. Has a long history of violations. On May 9, 2023, Kruse received 1 repeat direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (4 dogs affected by violation), and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures. Steve Kruse 4.19.23 Steve Kruse 5.9.23
Critical Violations this Quarter:
Elena Mikirtichev & Andrey Mikirtichev (8 adult dogs, 72 cats, 23 kittens). North Chesterfield, Virginia- The Mikirtichevs also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023. At the time of their April 3, 2023, USDA routine inspection, the Mikirtichevs received 1 critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures, 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 12 non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, housing facilities, sheltered housing facilities, outdoor housing facilities, primary enclosures, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, employees, and veterinary care for dogs. On April 19, 2023, the Mikirtichevs received 1 repeat direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 2 repeat non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care and primary enclosures. Elena Mikirtichev & Andrey Mikirtichev 4.3.23 Elena Mikirtichev & Andrey Mikirtichev 4.19.23
Jacob Yoder, Hidden Valley Kennel (37 adult dogs, 56 puppies). Fresno, Ohio- At the time of their April 5, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 1 critical violation pertaining to access and inspection of records of property. Yoder refused to allow inspection. Prior to this attempted inspection, Yoder had not been inspected since 2021. Jacob Yoder 4.5.23
Mount Hope Auction Inc. Mt Hope, Ohio- Mount Hope Auction also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023. At the time of their April 20, 2023, USDA-focused inspection, Mount Hope Auction received 1 repeat critical violation pertaining to procurement of dogs, cats, and other animals, and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to records. This facility also had violations in 2022. Mount Hope Auction Inc 4.20.23
Myron Yoder. Baltic, Ohio- At the time of their April 5, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 1 critical violation pertaining to access and inspection of records and property when he refused to allow inspection. At the time of their April 24, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder also received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (2 dogs affected by violation), and 6 non-critical violations pertaining to housing facilities, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, primary enclosures, and veterinary care for dogs. This facility had not been inspected since 2021. On May 2, 2023, Yoder received 1 non-critical violation for an attempted inspection. On May 25, 2023, Yoder received 2 non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and contingency planning. Myron Yoder 4.5.23 ; Myron Yoder 4.24.23 ; Myron Yoder 5.2.23 ; Myron Yoder 5.25.23
Patricia Bingham (11 adult cats, 16 kittens, 22 leopard cats). Alvin, Texas- Bingham also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023 which included 5 direct and 17 non-critical violations. At the time of their June 9, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Bingham received 2 repeat critical violations pertaining to requirements and application, and attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (2 deceased and 2 ill leopard cubs affected by violation). Bingham also received 1 repeat direct violation on June 9, 2023, pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. On June 12, 2023, Bingham received 1 repeat direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 4 non-critical violations pertaining to records, primary enclosures, and cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. This facility also had violations in 2022 and our organization publicly called for the local sheriff to investigate this facility for animal neglect. Patricia Bingham 6.9.23 (1) ; Patricia Bingham 6.9.23 ; Patricia Bingham 6.12.23 (1) ; Patricia Bingham 6.12.23
