‘Horrible Hundred’ Puppy Mills: NY Has 7 Breeders On List

NEW YORK — The Humane Society of the United States called out 100 problem puppy mills and puppy brokers in its annual “Horrible Hundred” list of problem breeders in New York and elsewhere across America.

The report, released every May, details the often-filthy, unhealthy conditions dogs and their offspring are kept in at high-volume breeding operations that sell puppies to pet stores or through their own websites — which means the puppies could end up anywhere.

The demand for puppies increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic as homebound Americans sought canine companionship, yet inspection programs were put on hold, making the past year “one of the most troubling in modern history,” the Humane Society said.

Deadly weather events put more puppies at risk, the Humane Society said in its 2021 Horrible Hundred report.

In New York, the following puppy mills were cited:

Helen Camlakides/Sportsman’s Kennels, Manorville: State inspectors found the kennel to be “non-compliant critical” at three different inspections within a 12-month period. The AKC breeder’s facility was cited twice in the fall for a Labrador retriever with skin issues and prominent hair loss and unsafe conditions. The facility had more than 300 dogs. Patch reached out via social media to talk to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.

Bridget Hewson/ADK Puppy Patch, Childwold: State inspectors found violations for a sick dog who had not been taken to a veterinarian, a strong odor of urine/ammonia, dirty conditions and veterinary care issues. Patch was not able to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually contact them, we’ll update this story.

Marvin Martin Hoover/Shady Lane Kennel, Penn Yan: The state found “at least” six puppies sold without disclosure of health problems. Adult dogs did not have veterinary examinations. Patch reached out via email to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.

James Leach/Leach Sheep & Goat Station, Martville: State inspectors found many dogs in a barn without water or with only dirty water bowls. Some dogs were matted or had overgrown nails. Veterinary issues were found three years in a row at the operation with more than 100 dogs. Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.

Joyce Martin/Seneca River Kennels (previously K&J Kennels), Waterloo: The kennel failed three state inspections in 2020 for issues such as a “critical” violation for a pregnant basset hound with a swollen eye that did not receive prompt treatment. There was decrepit housing, the odor of urine and underage puppy sales. Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.

Curtis Rist/Hudson Labradoodles, Hudson: The kennel had “horrible foul odor,” dogs and puppies were standing in filthy conditions, several dogs “were matted and covered in [their own] waste material. The facility has had similar violations for years (repeat offender). Patch reached out via email to talk to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.

Alvin Shirk/A&L Kennels, Dundee: More than 100 dogs were found with inadequate veterinary records. The kennel sold underage puppies and had prior issues with injured dogs (repeat offender). Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.

Missouri once again led the Horrible Hundred list with nearly two dozen problem dealers, the Humane Society noted:

• Missouri: 21 dealers
• Ohio: 16 dealers
• Iowa: 11 dealers
• Nebraska: 8 dealers
• Pennsylvania: 8 dealers
• Kansas: 7 dealers
• New York: 7 dealers
• Indiana: 6 dealers
• Georgia: 5 dealers
• Illinois: 4 dealers
• Arkansas: 2 dealers
• Kentucky: 1 dealer
• Minnesota: 1 dealer
• Tennessee: 1 dealer
• Texas: 1 dealer
• Wisconsin: 1 dealer

The Humane Society said that inclusion in the Horrible Hundred report is not an indication that any local, state or federal laws have been broken, but that the conditions described illustrate the need for tougher laws to protect the dogs.

Not all states require inspections of puppy breeding facilities. In some cases, regulators cut down on inspections, but the Humane Society said regulatory authorities ceased or curtailed inspections during the pandemic. Yet pet stores were considered essential businesses as interest in companion animals soared.

“Now more than ever, dogs need our protection, and kennel laws should be strictly enforced to make sure animals are protected in the next disaster,” the Humane Society said.

Some problem puppy mills cited in the 2020 Horrible Hundred report have closed, the Humane Society noted.

The report doesn’t include every problem puppy mill in the country, the Humane Society said, noting that “states with no dealers in this report are not necessarily doing better at preventing puppy mills.”

Many states do not have kennel inspection laws, do not share inspection records with the public or have not enforced the laws that are on the books. Some other trends:

About 40 percent of the dealers cited in the report are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “but it appears that many more of the breeders listed in this report are operating in a manner that would require a USDA license, yet they have not obtained one, partly due to the steep plunge in USDA enforcement since 2017,” the Humane Society said.

About 40 percent of the 100 dealers on the list are repeat offenders who have appeared on at least one of the Humane Society’s previous reports.

At least eight of the dealers in the report are linked to Petland, the largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores in the country, although the HSUS said it’s very likely that number is much higher; because Petland purchases mostly from brokers (re-sellers), many of its breeders cannot easily be linked to the stores, and the HSUS does not have access to all sourcing records.

Many of the sellers in this report were offering American Kennel Club-registerable puppies or promoting themselves as AKC breeders, which is an issue because the AKC regularly opposes laws that would help crack down on puppy mill cruelty.

The best way to help animals is to refuse to buy a puppy from an internet site, a pet store or any breeder that buyers haven’t carefully screened and met in person, the Humane Society said.

Here are some shelters in New York:

• North Shore Animal League, Port Washington
• SPCA of Westchester, Cortlandt Manor
• Dutchess County SPCA, Hyde Park
• Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, Pomona