Source: KCCI | James Stratton
WAYNE COUNTY, Iowa — The owner of a southern Iowa puppy mill who amassed more than 120 violations of the Animal Welfare Act in six months now faces criminal charges in Wayne County.
Daniel Gingerich turned himself in to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces six animal neglect charges.
Gingerich, now an Ohio resident, was released on $1000 cash bond.
USDA investigators found dead and malnourished dogs on his property in rural Seymour, Iowa.
Gingerich, a 26-year-old, now lives in Hillsboro, Ohio, per the criminal court filing. He faces two counts of animal neglect with serious injury or death, an aggravated misdemeanor. He also faces four other counts of animal neglect with injury, a serious misdemeanor.
Court records show the first count of animal neglect with serious injury or death refers to a Golden Retriever investigators found emaciated from April to July 2021, but inspectors never took her from the property. She was eventually euthanized due to her condition. The dog, now the subject of federal legislation to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act, was named Golden Retriever #142 by investigators and “Goldie” by Rep. Cindy Axne who introduced the bill.
The criminal complaint says Gingerich did not provide proper veterinary care to the Golden Retriever.
“No follow up veterinary care was provided which resulted in the euthanizing of the animal on July 28th, 2021,” the complaint states.
The second count of that same charge, states a Goldendoodle-type puppy that was purchased by a Minnesota group called “Retrieve a Golden From the Midwest” in September 2021 who had to be euthanized due to having complications with parvo.
“USDA and IDALS records indicate that there were incomplete vaccination records as well as improperly stored vaccines that contributed to this result, including improper ventilation providing adequate fresh air supply,” the complaint states.
The other four counts of animal neglect with injury refer to that same purchase of the dogs from RAGOM. The criminal complaint states that 13 dogs were purchased, but five had medical issues. Four were hurt because of respiratory issues, including pneumonia, the fifth died.
It also states the dogs were examined by a couple of different animal hospitals and clinics and all had similar health issues.
“This supports that these dogs were subjected intentionally and or knowingly to prolonged suffering due to non-treatment for noticeable symptoms and or infections,” the complaint states.
The charges, all misdemeanors, carry a total maximum jail time of eight years, according to the Wayne County Sheriff Keith Davis.
For months, KCCI Investigates has been reporting on Gingerich and the conditions investigators found in his rural Seymour facility. Records show he sold hundreds of dogs to 10 states before investigators took him to federal civil court to take away his license.
In November, he agreed to give up his remaining 514 dogs and can no longer hold a USDA license to breed, broker or sell dogs.