The Humane Society of the United States has released its annual report revealing 100 problem puppy mills and puppy brokers in the United States, and two are in the Lake of the Ozarks area.
For the eighth year in a row, Missouri has the largest number of puppy sellers on the list - 30 - and no other state has a double-digit figure.
In the report, the HSUS named Lonewolf Pets LLC, also known as Lonewolf Kennels, in Iberia. The HSUS accused the operator of instructing employees not to allow U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections, which the society said violates the Animal Welfare Act and requires unannounced visits by the USDA.
Also listed in the HSUS report was J&M Kennels in Stover. During a March 5 USDA inspection, the HSUS report shows, an inspector found a Pomeranian dog with hard clumps of fecal material adhered to its fur, with some of the matted feces apparently "cut away." There were 120 dogs or puppies at the facility at the time, and the inspector noted several issues with housing maintenance, according to the report.
HSUS officials said they listed the facilities in the report to show common problems and conditions at puppy mills and brokers across the country. They were selected based on several factors including the availability the HSUS had to inspection reports that showed violations and whether the dealers were listed in prior HSUS reports.
Lonewolf and J&M were shown to have been found to have violations in the past.
"Since taking office, we have made it a top priority to address substandard and non-compliant breeders and have filed multiple Animal Care Facilities Act lawsuits," Missouri Attorney General Spokesman Chris Nuelle said in a news release. "We'll continue to work with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to ensure that Missouri's breeders are operating within the law."