(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Eight Iowa dog breeders were cited for regulatory violations in the fourth quarter of 2023, with Iowa again ranked as one of the states with the highest number of violators. Between Oct. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited eight Iowa breeders for violations of federal regulations, according to data compiled and analyzed by the Iowa animal-welfare organization Bailing Out Benji.

The number of violators resulted in Iowa placing third among the states — behind Ohio and Wisconsin — that had the highest number of violators in the fourth quarter. According to the analysis by Bailing Out Benji, the No. 1 violation cited by USDA inspections, nationally, in the fourth quarter of 2024 pertained to veterinary care for dogs, which accounted for 48% of all violations cited.

This dog was photographed by USDA inspectors in January 2023 at a kennel operated by Wuanita Swedlund of Iowa. (USDA photo courtesy of Bailing Out Benji.)

Among the 50 states, Iowa has the fourth-highest number of USDA-licensed pet breeders and brokers, with 263 such businesses now operating in the state.

The Iowa breeders cited for violations in the fourth quarter of 2024 include:

John and Orla Nisley of Rolling Organic Acres in Edgewood

Wuanita and Glen Swedlund of Farmington

Heath Meyers of Century Farm Puppies in Grundy Center

Eli Schrock of Hillview Kennels in Drakesville

Floyd and Lisa Klocke of Floyd Klocke Farm in Coon Rapids

Judy and Gale Dorothy of Stockport

Julie Krause of Buttercream Ranch in Algona

Ross and Valorie Craig of Dunroven Farms in Newell

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