Judge Sets $25,000 Cash Bond, Bans Daniel Miller From Having Animals Following 10 New Charges
ASHLAND, Ohio — An Ashland Municipal Court judge set a $25,000 cash bond Wednesday morning for Loudonville-area dog breeder Daniel A. Miller after 10 additional misdemeanor charges were filed in connection with the treatment of dogs at his Ashland County property.
Judge John L. Good also imposed a sweeping bond condition prohibiting Miller from possessing, keeping, controlling or harboring any animal while the cases remain pending. The order applies to both companion animals and livestock.
“You are not to have with you, under your control, at your home, on your property, any animal whatsoever,” Good told Miller.
The complaints, filed Sept. 8 in Ashland Municipal Court, allege conduct occurring between Feb. 1 and Aug. 27, 2026, at 362 Ashland County Road 2575 near Loudonville. The allegations involve one or more of 72 dogs identified during the investigation, as well as six individual dogs identified in court records as Tiana, Merida, Bella, Jane, Hazel and Hiro.
Miller, 64, was arrested again Tuesday following the filing of the additional charges. He had previously posted bond after being charged with falsification and obstructing official business in a separate but related case.
Judge John L. Good read off the “Ten Complaints Filed Against Miller”
Count One: Cruelty Involving One or More of 72 Dogs
Count One alleges Miller confined, or was the custodian or caretaker of, one or more of 72 dogs and negligently tortured, tormented or committed an act of cruelty against a companion animal.
The charge was filed under Ohio Revised Code 959.131(D)(1) and is a second-degree misdemeanor.
A second-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum possible penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.
Count Two: Deprivation of Food or Water
Count Two alleges Miller, as the owner, manager or employee of a dog kennel, negligently deprived one or more of the 72 dogs of necessary sustenance.
The complaint further alleges the animals were confined without sufficient quantities of “good, wholesome food and water” under circumstances in which they could reasonably be expected to become sick or suffer.
The charge was filed under Ohio Revised Code 959.131(G)(2) and is a first-degree misdemeanor.
A first-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum possible penalty of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Counts Three Through Seven: Five Individually Identified Dogs
Five separate first-degree misdemeanor complaints allege Miller negligently tortured, tormented or committed acts of cruelty against individually identified dogs:
Count Three involves a dog identified as “Tiana (Puppy 2).”
Count Four involves “Merida (Puppy 3).”
Count Five involves “Bella (Puppy 4).”
Count Six involves a dog named “Jane.”
Count Seven involves a dog named “Hazel.”
Each of those charges was filed under Ohio Revised Code 959.131(G)(1). Each carries a maximum possible penalty of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Count Eight: Possessing Criminal Tools
Count Eight alleges Miller possessed or controlled a substance, device, instrument or article with the purpose of using it criminally. The complaint identifies a dog named Hiro in connection with the allegation.
The possessing-criminal-tools charge was filed under Ohio Revised Code 2923.24(A) and is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Count Nine: Sexual Conduct Involving an Animal
Count Nine alleges Miller knowingly engaged in sexual conduct with an animal or knowingly possessed, sold or purchased an animal with the intent that it be subjected to sexual conduct.
The dog identified in the complaint is Hiro.
The charge was filed under Ohio Revised Code 959.21(B) and is a second-degree misdemeanor. Good referred to the alleged offense as bestiality while reading the complaint in court.
Count Ten: Knowing Cruelty Involving Hiro
Count Ten alleges Miller knowingly tortured, tormented, needlessly mutilated or maimed, cruelly beat, poisoned, needlessly killed or committed an act of cruelty against Hiro.
That charge was filed under Ohio Revised Code 959.131(B) and is a first-degree misdemeanor.
All 10 complaints were signed by Hall of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
The charges are allegations. Miller is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Judge Calls Misdemeanor Classification “Shocking”
Good expressed concern during the hearing that the sexual-conduct allegation is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor under the Ohio law applicable to the case.
“It’s absolutely shocking to me that it is a second-degree misdemeanor,” Good said.
The judge said the Ohio Senate had passed legislation that would make the offense a felony, but explained that any subsequent change in the law would not apply retroactively to the allegations against Miller.
“Mr. Miller has the right to be charged and prosecuted under the law as it existed at the time of his alleged offense,” Good said.
Good repeatedly emphasized that he was not presuming Miller guilty.
“You are presumed innocent in this court,” the judge told him. “It is just that, if these allegations are true, it is shocking to me that they’re not felonious.”
When Good asked whether prosecutors anticipated filing any felony charges, Pannella said the evidence did not support a felony charge because there was allegedly no serious physical harm to any of the animals.
Good said the fact that all the charges are misdemeanors limited the bond the court could reasonably impose.
Court Orders $25,000 Cash Bond
Good noted that Miller had posted bond in the earlier case, returned home, remained available to authorities and had no significant criminal record.
Despite those considerations, the judge said the seriousness of the new allegations warranted a $25,000 cash appearance bond.
The court will also accept a commercial bail bond in the amount of $25,000. Good declined to allow Miller to post 10% of the bond.
“I think it would be demeaning to the seriousness of the allegations,” Good said.
Miller must also sign a recognizance bond promising to attend all future court proceedings. Failure to appear on a recognizance bond could result in an additional first-degree misdemeanor charge.
Miller Prohibited From Having Any Animals
Pannella asked the court to prohibit Miller from owning, possessing, keeping, harboring, caring for or residing with any animal while the cases are pending.
She cited the court’s authority to impose special bond conditions intended to protect public safety.
Good granted the request and made clear that the prohibition applies to every type of animal.
The bond condition prevents Miller from keeping an animal at his residence, having one on his property or otherwise exercising control over one. Good said it makes no difference whether the animal is legally classified as livestock or a companion animal.
The restriction will remain in effect while the criminal cases are pending unless modified by the court.
Attorney Was Not Present for Hearing
Miller’s attorney, Patrick L. Brown of Wooster, was not present Wednesday morning because he reportedly had another court proceeding in Wayne County.
Good said Brown was aware of the hearing and repeatedly warned Miller not to discuss the facts of the case without his attorney present.
“One of my jobs is to protect your rights,” Good told Miller. “It’s probably not in your best interest talking about the facts of this case without your lawyer present.”
Because Miller’s attorney was absent, Good did not ask Miller to enter pleas to the 10 new charges. The judge instead read each complaint and explained its possible maximum penalty. Miller acknowledged that he understood the charges.
The court proceeded with the bond hearing because Miller had a legal right to have bond considered without waiting for his attorney to become available.
Earlier Charges Remain Pending
Miller was previously charged in Ashland Municipal Court case number 26-CR-752 with falsification and obstructing official business.
The falsification charge alleges Miller made a false statement with the purpose of misleading a public official. The obstructing-official-business charge alleges he acted with the purpose of preventing, obstructing or delaying a public official’s authorized duties.
Miller previously posted bond in that case.
The earlier charges and the 10 newly filed charges stem from the broader investigation surrounding Miller’s Loudonville-area dog-breeding operation.
Cases Scheduled for October Hearing
Good scheduled the new charges to be heard alongside Miller’s earlier case at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Ashland Municipal Court.
The proceeding is expected to include an arraignment on the new charges and a pretrial hearing.
However, Good said the hearing could be moved to an earlier date if Miller is unable to post the $25,000 bond. The judge said he did not want Miller sitting in the Ashland County Jail for approximately 30 days while awaiting the scheduled pretrial because it could create speedy-trial and other legal issues.
If Miller remains in custody, Good instructed Brown to contact the court so the hearing can be moved forward and the case scheduled for trial as quickly as possible.
Miller is scheduled to return to court Oct. 13 unless the court advances the hearing.
