KINSMAN — A local breeder, whose dog kennel was recognized nationally as unfit, claims it was a matter of a delayed medical document submission.

The Lee Family Kennel was listed on the Humane Society of the United States’ “Horrible Hundred” list. The kennel was 1 of 20 from Ohio — out of 100 nationally. Only Missouri ranked lower, with 23.

Rudy Lee, owner, said Wednesday that his kennel is in compliance with the Ohio Department of Agriculture as of this year. However, last year he failed to turn in documentation in a timely manner to ensure that all of his dogs were properly treated for eye disorders.

The 2024 Horrible Hundred report lists 100 “problem puppy breeders” and dealers in the United States. The Humane Society of the United States publishes the report annually to educate consumers about common problems at puppy mills and to promote enhanced laws and stronger humane law enforcement, according to the organization’s website.

Lee said he was unaware of his mentioning on the list.

“I don’t have a puppy mill, No. 1,” Lee said. “I don’t know where that came from. I have a kennel, and I raise some dogs, but I am registered with the state and in compliance.

“That’s the craziest thing. I’ve never dreamed of anything like that, but as with the Humane Society, if somebody decides to do or say something in this country, their’s free speech. They can do and say whatever they want.”

Lee, who has bred Labrador retrievers and cocker spaniels for the last three years, said the Humane Society’s report included false information.

“I had the tests done, within compliance, in 2022 and 2023, but when the inspector was here in June. My wife didn’t have the papers readily available to show that they were done.”

He mentioned that his wife was told that the vacant documents were a problem, but that he was not aware that he was expected to do anything after tests had been completed.

“That inspector knows that as far as showing the testing, it was done,” Lee said. “It was just that the papers weren’t yet showing they were done. I don’t know how, why or where the report came from now. But this doesn’t make any sense to me.”

The Lee Family Kennel is included on the ODA’s list for high-volume dog breeders.

REPORT

According to the “Horrible Hundred” report, Lee failed to have his kennel tested for a contagious zoonotic disease and was ordered to have dogs with eye disorders examined.

The report states that in June 2023 “state inspectors noted that Rudy Lee’s kennel needed documentation to prove ‘that a whole kennel B. canis test was performed the first year of licensing’ and the breeder needed a complete written plan for monitoring B. canis in the facility. B. canis is a contagious zoonotic disease. Despite being notified of these requirements, at least one more inspection that same year found that Lee still did not have a complete annual plan for some requirements.”

Lee said out of his groups of dogs, one cocker spaniel had developed “cherry eye.” The common term is used to describe prolapse, or popping out of the third eyelid gland in dogs.

The condition, while potentially uncomfortable for dogs, is treatable. The precise cause of it is unknown.

The Humane Society’s report continues: “In August, a state inspector noted that “despite an extension on the deadline for the licensee to correct this issue, and the inspector reaching out to the licensee and the licensee’s veterinarian several times, the licensee has not corrected this issue. This matter is being referred to ODA’s Legal (Counsel).” In addition, the inspectors also found two dogs in June who were in need of eye treatment, and one dog with feces matted in her hair.”

“ODA called me in July and said ‘Hey, what are you doing about this?'” Lee said. “I said ‘I didn’t know I was supposed to do anything.’ They said I was supposed to give them something from the vet, and they gave me an extension, like a few days or whatever. So I called my vet and they said they would take care of it, but it was over the Fourth of July holiday and the vet that did the tests in 2022 was on vacation, and they had to have her signature.”

The violation was two days late before the vet could adhere to ODA standards, Lee said.

“They gave me a notification that I was in violation, but I didn’t know what that even meant,” he siad. “I had done the testing, and they got the proof that I got the testing. It was just that my paperwork didn’t meet the deadline they had set. I guess I just didn’t realize it.”

Lee further explained that while he took the cocker spaniel to a local veterinary clinic, the vet said the condition was “fine” as long as it was not bothering them.

When visited by the ODA, Lee said, “The agent took a picture of it and had it on the list of things that she felt needed to be corrected, but she was okay with me checking with my vet.”

Since the most recent visit from the ODA this year, Lee said a new inspector told him that if he were to keep the dog, he should have surgery done.

“It’s an optional thing, and as far as putting a dog under anesthesia and doing a surgery, you don’t know what you’re going to cause by doing that,” he said. “So if it’s not bothering the dog, there’s no way that somebody should say or know that you’re better off doing it.”

In December, after paying for his dog breeder license renewals, Lee said he received a citation with a notice that he owed money to the ODA.

Lee also added that he does not own the cocker spaniels he had anymore, after a recommendation from the ODA that he give them to a home.

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