DAYTON -- We all love our pets. But Ohio now ranks as one of the worst states in the country for allowing "horrible" puppy mills. What's worse, you could be supporting them without even knowing it.
Many puppy mills stack breeding dogs and their puppies, one on top of the other in wire cages that can injure their feet.
"It's alarming. I don't like puppy mills, I don't believe in puppy mills," said Jami Madewell of Centerville.
But even more shocking, a report out this month by the Humane Society of the United States says at least 15 percent of some of the worst puppy mills in the entire country are right here in the Buckeye State.
"People need to do their homework and I don't think they do. And I don't think they realize that's where those animals are coming from," said Madewell.
"Understand what you're getting. If you walk into a pet store and see a cute puppy in the window, ask questions about where it came from," said Brian Weltge with the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
According to the Humane Society, there are dozens of large-scale Ohio breeders that are so bad their license to sell puppies has been revoked. Yet they continue to make thousands of dollars dealing your favorite four-legged friends due to non-existent regulations for online sales.
"People can actually operate awful online breeding operations and sell to unknowingly people who just want a little Saint Bernard," said Weltge.
Investigators also point to lax Ohio laws as another reason so many puppy mills are in the state. A problem animal rights activists and some lawmakers are working to correct.
Ohio kennel owners could soon be charged with a felony if they abuse animals. What's called "Nitro's Law" was passed in the Ohio House Wednesday. It's named for a dog that was starved to death in a Youngstown kennel five years ago. The bill will now go to the Ohio Senate.
Many puppy mills stack breeding dogs and their puppies, one on top of the other in wire cages that can injure their feet.
"It's alarming. I don't like puppy mills, I don't believe in puppy mills," said Jami Madewell of Centerville.
But even more shocking, a report out this month by the Humane Society of the United States says at least 15 percent of some of the worst puppy mills in the entire country are right here in the Buckeye State.
"People need to do their homework and I don't think they do. And I don't think they realize that's where those animals are coming from," said Madewell.
"Understand what you're getting. If you walk into a pet store and see a cute puppy in the window, ask questions about where it came from," said Brian Weltge with the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
According to the Humane Society, there are dozens of large-scale Ohio breeders that are so bad their license to sell puppies has been revoked. Yet they continue to make thousands of dollars dealing your favorite four-legged friends due to non-existent regulations for online sales.
"People can actually operate awful online breeding operations and sell to unknowingly people who just want a little Saint Bernard," said Weltge.
Investigators also point to lax Ohio laws as another reason so many puppy mills are in the state. A problem animal rights activists and some lawmakers are working to correct.
Ohio kennel owners could soon be charged with a felony if they abuse animals. What's called "Nitro's Law" was passed in the Ohio House Wednesday. It's named for a dog that was starved to death in a Youngstown kennel five years ago. The bill will now go to the Ohio Senate.