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 July 1, 2023, to September 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 reports here: Quarter 1 and Quarter 2.
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 July 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023.
Official USDA Warnings, Complaints, and Decisions
Antoine Abed, A & R’s Exotics (3 adult cats, 5 kittens). Toledo, Ohio- Abed received an Official USDA Warning on August 3, 2023, stemming from violations received on April 13, 2023, and April 26, 2023. USDA Warning Antoine Abed 8.3.2023
Carolyn Anderson, Anderson’s Yorkies (30 adult dogs, 5 puppies). Mason City, Iowa- This quarter, over a year later, Anderson received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on May 26, 2022, and July 19, 2022. USDA Warning Carolyn Anderson 8.3.2023
Elena Mikirtichev & Andrey Mikirtichev, Dream Coon (80 adult cats, 55 kittens, 5 dogs). North Chesterfield, Virginia- The Mikirtichevs also received 29 total violations in Quarter 1 and 2 of 2023. At the time of their July 24, 2023, USDA routine inspection, the Mikirtichevs received 2 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care and 19 non-critical violations pertaining to records, access and inspection of records and property, housing facilities, indoor housing facilities, sheltered housing, primary enclosures, watering, sleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, and veterinary care for dogs. At their focused inspection on August 9, 2023, the Mikirtichevs received 2 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care and 2 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification and records. At their September 11, 2023, focused inspection, the Mikirtichevs received 2 critical violations pertaining to non-interference with APHIS officials (made inaccurate and misleading statements) and conducting regulated activity during suspension, 3 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 9 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification, records, handling of animals, outdoor housing facilities, primary enclosures, compatible grouping, feeding, and cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. The Mikirtichevs received an official notice of 21 day suspension on August 11, 2023 and an administrative complaint on August 25, 2023, citing violations they received in 2023 and 2022 as violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Their license is currently suspended and their cats were seized on October 9th, 2023 by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and Chesterfield County Animal Services. Elena Mikirtichev and Andrey Mikirtichev 7.24.2023 Elena Mikirtichev and Andrey Mikirtichev 8.9.2023 Elena Mikirtichev and Andrey Mikirtichev 9.11.2023 USDA Revocation Mikirticheva 8.25.2023 USDA Warning Mikirtichev 8.11.2023
Lady Boss Grooming & World of Pets. Lavaca, Arkansas- Lady Boss Grooming & World of Pets received an Official USDA Warning for operating as a dealer without a license. USDA Warning Lady Boss Grooming 7.13.2023
Leisha Patrick (31 adult dogs, 21 puppies). Highlandville, Missouri- At the time of their July 26, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Patrick received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. Patrick received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on July 26, 2023. Leisha Patrick 7.26.2023 USDA Warning Leisha Patrick 9.7.2023
Leroy Fhlug, Wisconsin Puppy Patch LLC. Chilton, Wisconsin- Fhlug received a civil penalty of $3,000 dollars and was asked to cease and desist from operating as a dealer without a valid license. USDA Order Leroy Fhlug 7.7.2023
Lyle Miller, Miller Clan Pugs (20 adult dogs). Wellman, Iowa- At the time of their July 24, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Miller received 1 critical violation pertaining to handling of animals (1 deceased dog affected by violation). Miller received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on July 24, 2023. Lyle Miller 7.24.2023 ; USDA Warning Lyle Miller 8.30.2023
Maple Grove Kennels (19 adult dogs, 15 puppies). Iowa City, Iowa- At the time of their July 10, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Maple Grove Kennels received 2 critical violations pertaining to handling of animals and compatible grouping, and 9 non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, time and method of identification, records, housing facilities, sheltered housing facilities, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, and veterinary care for dogs. Maple Grove Kennels received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on July 10, 2023. This facility has since canceled their license. Maple Grove Kennels 7.10.2023; USDA Warning Maple Grove Kennels 8.24.2023
Misty Means (20 adult dogs, 17 puppies). Ash Flat, Arkansas- Means also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their August 30, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Means received 2 non-critical violations pertaining to watering and veterinary care for dogs. Means received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on June 14, 2023. Misty Means 8.30.2023; USDA Warning Misty Means 7.27.2023
Sherri Taylor, Taylor Pups (76 adult dogs, 2 puppies). Lone Grove, Oklahoma- At the time of their July 6, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Taylor received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 2 non-critical violations pertaining to Sheltered housing and primary enclosures. Taylor received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on July 6, 2023. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in Connecticut and to the broker Pinnacle Pets. Sherri Taylor 7.6.2023 USDA Warning Sherri Taylor 8.24.2023
Teresa Seling, Traipse Inc. AKA Traipse Bengals (23 adult cats, 5 kittens). Issaquah, Washington- At the time of their July 24, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Traipse received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 3 non-critical violations pertaining to housing facilities and cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. At the time of their August 9, 2023, USDA focused inspection, Traipse received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 1 repeat non-critical violation pertaining to housing facilities. Traipse Inc received an Official USDA Warning stemming from violations received on August 9, 2023, and July 24, 2023. Traipse Inc 7.24.2023 USDA Warning Traipse Inc September 14th, 2023
Zachery Keeler (7 adult cats, 8 kittens, 7 ring-tailed lemurs, 2 pot belly pigs). Temperance, Michigan- At the time of their July 7, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Keeler received 1 critical violation pertaining to non-interference with APHIS officials. On July 18, 2023, Keeler received 1 critical violation pertaining to access and inspection of records and property. During a focused inspection on July 21, 2023, Keeler received 1 critical violation pertaining to access and inspection of records and property, and 10 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification, records, housing facilities, primary enclosures, watering, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, environment enhancement to promote psychological well-being, and feeding. Keeler has since had his license revoked after an administrative complaint and then a decision and order were filed with the Secretary of Agriculture. Zachery Keeler 7.7.2023 ; Zachery Keeler 7.18.2023 ; Zachery Keeler 7.21.2023 ; USDA Revocation Zachery Keeler 8.16.2023
Direct Violations this Quarter (violations at the time of inspection having serious or severe adverse effects on the welfare of the animals):
Ada Yoder (47 adult dogs, 57 puppies). Utica, Minnesota- Yoder also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their August 22, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Yoder received 1 direct violation pertaining to sheltered housing facilities, and 2 non-critical violations pertaining to contingency planning and veterinary care for dogs. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in at least 5 states. Ada Yoder 8.22.2023
David Weaver (35 adult dogs, 29 puppies). Millersburg, Ohio- Weaver also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their July 6, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Weaver received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, and 4 non-critical violations pertaining to housing facilities, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, and veterinary care for dogs. On July 19, 2023, during a focused inspection, Weaver received 1 repeat non-critical violation pertaining to cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control. During his August 30, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Weaver received 1 non-critical violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs. David Weaver 7.6.2023 David Weaver 7.19.2023 David Weaver 8.30.2023
Leroy Yoder (E), Mohawk Kennels (25 adult dogs). Walhonding, Ohio- Yoder also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023. At the time of their July 17, 2023, USDA relicense inspection, Yoder received 1 direct violation pertaining to watering and 3 non-critical violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care, primary enclosures, and veterinary care for dogs. Leroy E Yoder 7.17.2023
Nathan Zimmerman (45 adult dogs, 10 puppies). Penn Yan, New York- At the time of their September 19, 2023, USDA re-license inspection, Zimmerman received 2 direct violations pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care and watering, and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to feeding. Nathan Zimmerman 9.19.2023
Peggy Shaw (110 adult dogs, 54 puppies). Wilbur, Nebraska- Shaw also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their July 5, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Shaw received 1 direct violation pertaining to attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. Peggy Shaw 7.5.2023
Critical Violations this Quarter:
Daniel Ray Miller (50 adult dogs, 25 puppies). Hillsboro, Wisconsin- Miller also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their September 14, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Miller received 1 critical violation pertaining to compatible grouping. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in Nevada and to the broker JAKS. Daniel Ray Miller 9.14.2023
Dorothy O’Bar (S), Jodot Farm (4 adult dogs). Booneville, Arkansas- At the time of their September 11, 2023, USDA routine inspection, O’bar received 1 critical violation pertaining to veterinary care for dogs and 1 non-critical violation pertaining to housing facilities. We have records of this facility selling to a pet store in Maine. Dorothy S. O’Bar 9.11.2023
Elisa Brandvik. Ozark, Arkansas- Brandvik also received violations in Quarter 1 of 2023. At the time of their August 16, 2023, USDA routine inspection, Brandvik received 2 critical violations pertaining to non-interference with APHIS officials and access and inspection of records and property. Brandvik also had violations in 2022. We have records of this facility selling to the broker Pinnacle Pets. Elisa Brandvik 8.16.2023
Martha Schrock & Joseph Schrock (28 adult dogs, 39 puppies). Fairchild, Wisconsin- The Schrocks also received violations in Quarter 2 of 2023. At the time of their July 26, 2023, USDA routine inspection, the Schrocks received 1 critical violation pertaining to housing facilities and 4 non-critical violations pertaining to time and method of identification, housing facilities, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control, and veterinary care for dogs. We have records of this facility selling to pet stores in Indiana and Massachusetts. Martha Schrock and Joseph Schrock 7.26.2023
