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WISCONSIN PUPPY MILL PROJECT

Don't Buy the Lies:

The Dogs -- Statistics

"Now accepting QUALITY consignments. Only quality breeding stock or healthy and marketable puppies will be accepted."
-- From print ads for the Thorp Dog Auction

Max the Boxer tested positive for brucellosis.
(Click on photo for larger view & caption )

What Is A Puppy Mill?   *   What Can I Do About It?   *   Laws/Legislation   *   ACTION ALERTS!

 pawprint bullet point   Thorp Dog Auction Overview   pawprint bullet point   "It's All About the Money"   pawprint bullet point   Max the Boxer: What is Brucellosis?   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   The Dogs   pawprint bullet point   The Statistics   pawprint bullet point   Thorp Dog Auction Scrapbook   pawprint bullet point   Josie's Diary   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   Rabies In WI: Why Health Certificates are so important   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   USDA/AWA Inspection Reports of Horst Stables Dog Auctions   pawprint bullet point

 

Meet some of the "QUALITY" dogs purchased at the Thorp Dog Auctions:

       Most of these dogs were purchased at the 10 March 2007 auction, but we are adding others as we are sent their stories and photos. Please click on any photo for a larger view and story, or click through our Thorp Dog Auction Scrapbook to see them all.

 
NAME/BREED
DOB:
PROBLEMS:
SELLER:
Bonnie the Shih Tzu is sticking her tongue out because her teeth hurt!
Bonnie
Shih Tzu

2003

No reg. listed

  • Dog marked on Vet record as 20-50 pounds. Dog weighs 10 lbs. OK for breed, question records.
  • Needs dental.
  • Yeast infection both ears.

Ora J Bontrager
N1580 Cty Road FFF
Dalton, WI 53926

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0281

Dalton the chihuahua had been so traumatized that he attacked anyone who tried to touch him.
Dalton
Chihuahua

3/7/2005

No reg. listed

  • **No rabies vaccine as required by law
  • Extremely fearful.
  • FEAR BITER. Sent to rescue 5/17/2007

Perry I Bontrager
W6223 Hwy B
Dalton, WI 53926

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0251

Gail, a Bernese Mountain Dog purchased by a rescuer at the Sept 07 Thorp Dog Auction
Gail
Bernese Mountain Dog

12/2006

  • Entropian eyelids
  • Front dew claws protruding and sore
  • Severe bilateral hip dysplasia; will eventually total hip replacement.
  • Terrified of everything; took several people to get her into the van to transport home.
  • Purchased at the 22 September 2007 auction.

Curvin & Arlene Brubaker
W8498 County Highway X
Thorp, WI

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0286

Max the Boxer tested positive for brucellosis.
Max
Boxer

5/13/2006

*ACA Reg.

Ella Mae Brubaker
N14976 Gorman Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0227

Note: Original owner was Edward Zimmerman, Max was sold to Brubaker on 7/13/2006 at the age of eight weeks. Edward Zimmerman NOT licensed by USDA.

Jimmy was the second dog purchased at the Thorp Dog Auction to be diagnosed with Brucellosis.
Jimmy
Boxer

3/16/2006

*ACA Reg.

Ella Mae Brubaker
N14976 Gorman Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0227

Precious Lady, a scarred golden lab, was purchased at the Thorp Dog Auction, 10 March 07
Precious Lady
Labrador Retriever

1/1/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • "Moth eaten" dull and scarred coat
  • SOLD AS PREGNANT actually morbidly obese.
  • Poor teeth, need dental
  • Ear Mites
  • Ear infection
  • **No Rabies vaccine as required by law
  • Terrified of people's hands and feet

Nancy W. Brubaker
W8231 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54771

NOT registered with USDA

Jo the miniature schanuzer with a heart murmur was purchased at the Thorp Dog Auciton in March 2007.
Little Jo
Miniature Schnauzer

8/25/2003

*APRI Reg.

Lisa M Erdenberger
Rolling Hills Kennel
33746 State Hwy 27
Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0004

Underneath all that hair is a poodle!
Puddin'
Toy Poodle

10/28/2001

*APRI Reg.

  • Overgrown and matted coat
  • Hernia.
  • Needed teeth pulled, rotten.

Lisa M Erdenberger
Rolling Hills Kennel
33746 State Hwy 27
Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0004

Dude the black miniature poodle might be part maltese.
Dude
Miniature Poodle

9/25/2006

*ACA Reg.

  • Breeder said she would send records. No records have been received to date.
  • **Vaccinated for rabies the day before sold.
  • Pigeon toed front legs and bowlegged back legs.
  • Groomed to ""look like poodle"" but isn't. Coat too silky -- vet thinks possibly some Maltese
  • Yeast infection both ears.

Teresa Hestekin
Hestekin Hills
4147 Soley Lane
Eau Claire, WI 54703

*** USDA Cert. #
35-B-0166

Thorp, a Chinese Crested Powder Puff, was so matted that his hair was sheared off in one piece!
Thorp
Chinese Crested Powder Puff

3/8/03

*AKC Reg.

  • Extremely matted coat
  • Severe dental /periodontal disease
  • Enlarged lymph nodes, likely due to draining infection
  • Enlarged prostate gland and benign prostatic hypertrophy from remaining intact.
  • Parasite infection
  • Struvite crystals in urine
  • 4 missing teeth
  • Shook constantly, petrified of anything new
  • 12 March 08 auction

Melvin Kuhns
Pardeeville, WI

NOT registered with USDA

Jake, another very hairy poodle.
Jake
Poodle

3/13/2006

*ACA Reg.

  • Very matted coat
  • Cryptorchid

Alvin Martin
Pine Hollow Kennel
N13270 Sterling Ave.
Withee, WI 54498

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0249

Martin was sold as a purebred poodle.
Martin
Poodle

*ACA Reg.

  • Does not appear to be purebred poodle

Alvin Martin
Pine Hollow Kennel
N13270 Sterling Ave.
Withee, WI 54498

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0249

Sweetie the West Highland terrier
Sweetie
Westie

8/21/2006

*ACA Reg.

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG, NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law

Eugene Martin
1473 Rustic Ave
Charles City, IA 50616

*** USDA Cert. #
42-A-1194

Dooley the papillion whose teeth were so badly infected that he couldn't close his mouth.
Dooley
Papillion

9/17/2002

*ACA Reg.

  • Hernia
  • NOT able to close his mouth or retract his tongue into his mouth due to infected and rotten teeth.
  • Attitude at time of rescue: "I just wish I were dead."
  • Pulled from auction by USDA inspector as "unsellable"

Eugene Martin
1473 Rustic Ave
Charles City, IA 50616

*** USDA Cert. #
42-A-1194

Solomon the basset hound
Solomon
Basset Hound

3-16-2003

*APRI Reg.

Samuel/Lydia Martin
Clear View Kennel
W9026 Pine Tree Rd
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0232

Lizzie the basset hound had a severe case of mastitis when she was purchased at the Thorp Dog Auction in March 07.
Lizzie
Basset Hound

6-19-2003

*ACA Reg.

  • Coccidia
  • Severe Mastitis
  • Bald Spots on back and neck
  • Date of Birth on Rabies Ceritifcate is 4/1/2003

Samuel/Lydia Martin
Clear View Kennel
W9026 Pine Tree Rd
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0232

Rose the basset hound was sold with both of her parents.
Rose
Basset Hound

8/18/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • Coccidia
  • Rabies vaccine was four days from expiration on date sold.
  • Daughter of Lizzie and Solomon, shyest and the leggiest of the bassets

Samuel/Lydia Martin
Clear View Kennel
W9026 Pine Tree Rd
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0232

Samuel the cairn terrier is "undocumented."
Samuel
Cairn Terrier

11/13/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • No paperwork except for USDA Record of Disposition.
  • **No Rabies Vaccine as required by law.

Samuel/Lydia Martin
Clear View Kennel
W9026 Pine Tree Rd
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0232

Tippy the Chihuahua lost one tooth on the way to the vet after his purchase at the Sept 08 Thorp Dog Auction, and had to have 13 more teeth extracted. He was just short of 3 years old at time of purchase.
Tippy
Chihuahua

10/31/05

*ACA Reg.

  • Matted coat
  • Teeth heavily tartared - pyorrhea and gingival recession
  • 13 teeth removed at the vet, one lost on the way to the vet -- 14 teeth total lost and extracted.
  • Hair loss of both ears - cause unknown
  • Very withdrawn and timid
  • Very stiff picked up
  • 24 September 08 auction

Larry M. Newswanger
Scenic Ridge Kennel
Dorchester, WI

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0225
(Leon Newswanger
Scenic Ridge Kennel)

Dusty the Westie had painful ear infections when he was purchased.
Dusty
Westie

9/5/06

*APRI Reg.

  • Ear Mites
  • Other Ear Infection

Alvin Nolt
N15216 Brucemound Ave
Thorp, WI 54711

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0248

Lazarus is terrified of people, ignores food, goodies, and toys, and tries to make himself invisible when anyone approaches.
Lazarus
Cairn Terrier

12/16/2004

*ABI Reg.

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG, NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law.
  • Dog is terrified. Even after two and a half months, dog cannot be handled. Can be pet if slow movements.

Lavern Nolt
Twinbirch Kennel
1276 140th Street
Charles City, IA 50616

*** USDA Cert. #
42-A-1185

Whitey the westie with infected cysts between his toes.
Whitey
Westie

4/2/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG, NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law.
  • Infected cysts between toes, Vet thought from urine burns.
  • Does not look like a Westie.
  • Dog is terrified. Cannot be handled at all.

Lavern Nolt
Twinbirch Kennel
1276 140th Street
Charles City, IA 50616

*** USDA Cert. #
42-A-1185

Tao the Shar Pei had inturned eyelids that scratched his eyes.
Tao
Shar Pei

10/01/2006

" Reg" -- not specified.

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG -NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law
  • No Rabies vaccine as required by law
  • Elevated Temperature
  • Bilateral Entropian
  • Front Leg Injury (one of our team witnessed this dog being jerked roughly from crate by leg)
  • Ear Infection
  • Dogs feces was more than 50% hay the first three days after purchase

Lloyd B. Nolt
3361 - 165th Street
Charles City, IA 50616

Not registered with USDA

Woo the Shar Pei cannot open his eyes because of entropian eyelids.
Woo
Shar Pei

" Reg" -- not specified.

  • **NO PAPER WORK
  • Bilateral Entropian
  • Dog's feces more than 50% hay the first three days after purchase

Auction Catalog says "Nolt"
ASSUMED Lloyd B Nolt
see Tao, above

Ralphy the cairn terrier
Ralphy
Cairn Terrier

3/4/2003

*ACA Reg.

  • **No Rabies Vaccine as required by law.
  • Thinning hair on back legs and inner thigh area.

Leroy/ Linda Senseng
8425 Hwy D
Platteville, WI 53818

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0212

Stanley the schnauzer
Stanley
Miniature Schnauzer

9/14/2006

*ACA Reg.

  • **No rabies vaccine required by law.

Leroy/ Linda Senseng
8425 Hwy D
Platteville, WI 53818

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0212

Leroy the schnauzer
Leroy
Miniature Schnauzer

9/14/2006

*ACA Reg.

  • **No rabies vaccine as required by law

Leroy/ Linda Senseng
8425 Hwy D
Platteville, WI 53818

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0212

Carol the Cairn Terrier. Her seller did not know that Carol was pregnant when she was sold at the 10 Mar 07 Thorp Dog Auction, so her puppies were born safe in a rescue.
Carol
Cairn Terrier

10/17/05

*ACA Reg.

  • PREGNANT - NOT revealed
  • Matted coat

Laverne Shirk
Long Lane Kennel
W9376 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0234

Jimmy the Cairn terrier just was not in the mood to smile for the camera with yeast infections in both ears.
Jimmy
Cairn Terrier

9/22/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • **No Rabies Vaccine as required by law.
  • Thinning hair on back legs and inner thigh area.
  • Severe yeast infection in both ears.
  • Matted coat on back legs.

Laverne Shirk
Long Lane Kennel
W9376 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0234

Susie the terrier pup was pregnant when purchased at the Thorp Dog Auction in March 2007.
Susie
Cairn Terrier

12/11/2004

*ACA Reg.

  • **No Rabies Vaccine as required by law
  • PREGNANT - NOT revealed
  • Whelped 5 puppies on 3/28/2007
  • Staph infection (skin infection) through out body--Medicated shampoo twice weekly until pups are weaned
  • Patches of fur missing from hip.
  • Very thin sparse hair over entire body.

Laverne Shirk
Long Lane Kennel
W9376 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0234

King the beagle was purchased at the 24 September 08 Thorp Dog Auction.
Kingsbury
Beagle

1-15-08

Unregistered

  • Rabies vaccination dated the day before the auction...three months after the law requires.
  • Pos for Giardia
  • Dog is extremely shy nd avoids contact with anyone.
  • 24 September 08 auction

Laverne Shirk
Long Lane Kennel
W9376 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54771

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0234

Coffee the min pin is extremely shy.
Coffee
Miniature Pinscher

10/19/2005

Unregistered

  • In heat when purchased.
  • Growths on all for paws, appears to be from standing on wire.
  • VERY skittish.
  • Still unable to handle at 5/30/2007 but we can pet as long as we move slowly

Edward Smith
W3419 Hwy K
Loyal, WI 54446

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0278

Reddy the red min pin doesn't know how to react to kindness,
Reddy
Miniature Pinscher

8-29-2006

Unregistered

  • Conjuctivitis in both eyes.
  • Sores between toes, Vet thought from urine burns.

Edward Smith
W3419 Hwy K
Loyal, WI 54446

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0278

Cheyenne the Akita has a very scarred nose.
Cheyenne
Akita

8/1/1999

No reg. listed

  • Clumps of hair were falling out along her back exposing skin in several spots.
  • Nose severely scarred.
  • Ear tips severely scarred.
  • Heartworm positive.
  • Badly decayed teeth
  • So dog aggressive that she could not be trusted around anmals other than Max, below.

Wesley Smith
W16616 Old 194
Sheldon, WI 54766
or
N2889 County Road I
Cornrath, WI 54731

Not registered with USDA

Max the Akita is blind in one eye, among other things.
Max
Akita

2/3/01

No reg. listed

  • Severely scarred nose
  • Blind in right eye
  • Scarred eartips
  • Badly decayed teeth
  • Rear leg injury or condition causing difficulty walking
  • Tested positive for Lyme disease

Wesley Smith
W16616 Old 194
Sheldon, WI 54766
or
N2889 County Road I
Cornrath, WI 54731

Not registered with USDA

Sheba the west highland terrier
Sheba
Westie

9/27/04

*ACA Reg.

  • Ear Infection

Amos Weaver
N15945 Sparrow Ave
Owen, WI 54460

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0268

Chip the "Goldendoodle" was severely emaciated had obviously had been eating hay.
Chip
Golden Doodle

?

*Unregistered

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG, NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law
  • Dog sold as 15 weeks old, dog actually AT LEAST 2 years old
  • Severely matted coat, ears needed to be plucked
  • Ear infection
  • Severely thin, Body score 2 (Body Score of 1 is emaciated to near death)

Leroy D Yoder
27768 Cemetery Road
Utica, MN 55919

*** USDA Cert. #
41-A-0443

Dale the Golden Doodle was dangerously thin, sold as a puppy but was actually at least 2 years old.
Dale
Golden Doodle

?

*Unregistered

  • **OUT OF STATE DOG, NO Vet Certificate of Health as Required by law
  • Dog sold as 15 weeks old, dog actually AT LEAST 2 years old
  • Severely matted coat, ears needed to be plucked
  • Ear infection
  • Severely thin, Body score 3 (Body Score of 1 is emaciated to near death)

Leroy D Yoder
27768 Cemetery Road
Utica, MN 55919

*** USDA Cert. #
41-A-0443

Petey the male corgi was sold as a female!
Petey
Welsh Corgi

10/3/2003(?)

*APRI Reg.

  • SOLD AS FEMALE, dog is actually a MALE
  • Ear mites
  • Euathanized 5/ 11/ 2007 for severe DOG AGRESSION. Two months of work on this problem did no good.

Alson & Rosella Zeiset
N15942 Fisher Ave
Thorp, WI 54771.

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0250

Allie the Shiba Inu - Rat Terrier mix.
Allie
Shiba Inu /Rat Terrier Mix

11/30/2006

*Unregistered

  • **No rabies vaccine as required by law

Alvin Zimmerman
W8731 Pine Road
Thorp, WI 54711

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0269

Christy the Westie was so frightened of people that she pushed her back up against the wall and trembled whenever anyone approached her.
Christy
Westie

4/22/2005

*ACA Reg.

  • Tartar, bad teeth
  • In heat
  • Matted coat
  • Extremely anti-social, fearful
  • Whelped litter 10/3/2006 at less than 18 months old
  • Cesarean scar from previous delivery. Vet said uterus, bladder, the horns, mometum (fatty tissue) all attached to abdominal wall with scar tissue.

Wayne Zimmerman
High Rise Kennel
34733 Cty Hwy MM
Stanley, WI 54768

*** USDA Cert. #
35-A-0220

Notes:

*: Please see our What Does Breed Registration Really Mean? page for more information.

**: WI State law requires that all dogs five months and older be vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian and have a certificate to prove it. Wisconsin also requires a health certificate that includes current rabies vaccination information in order to bring a dog into the state. The recent case of rabies in a dog brought from out of state without these certificates underscores the importance of these regulations. For more information, please see our Rabies Vaccine / Cert. of Health: Why are they important? page.

***: The first number (35, 41, 42) is the USDA numerical code for the state where the kennel is located; the "A" denotes a breeder license and the "B" denotes a Breeder/Dealer license. NOTE: the USDA Animal Welfare Act licensing applies ONLY to breeders who sell pets wholesale (to brokers, pet stores, etc.) ALL direct sellers are exempt, including the the one detailed in Inside A Wisconsin "Puppy Farm".

See the USDA Animal Welfare Act section of our Puppy Mills and the Law page for more about what USDA licensing actually means.

 

 pawprint bullet point   Thorp Auction Overview   pawprint bullet point   "It's All About the Money"   pawprint bullet point   Max the Boxer: What is Brucellosis?   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   The Dogs   pawprint bullet point   The Statistics   pawprint bullet point   Thorp Dog Auction Scrapbook   pawprint bullet point   Josie's Diary   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   Rabies In WI: Why Health Certificates are so important   pawprint bullet point

 pawprint bullet point   USDA/AWA Inspection Reports of Horst Stables (pdf)   pawprint bullet point


 
 
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