Ohio Department of Agriculture Moves to Revoke Loudonville Dog Breeder’s License After Disturbing Findings
State alleges Daniel Miller knowingly allowed individuals to engage in sexual conduct with dogs at his kennel
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture is seeking to revoke the high-volume dog-breeding license of Daniel A. Miller after a state investigation produced deeply disturbing allegations involving dogs at his Loudonville-area breeding operation.
Miller, 64, operates Happy Mountain K9 Facilities at 362 County Road 2575. He was previously charged following an investigation that resulted in the removal of 72 dogs and puppies from the property.
ACP News obtained the new information through a public-records request submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
According to an Aug. 27 notice hand delivered to Miller, the department determined that he violated two state administrative rules governing the health, care and handling of dogs. The agency alleges the violations materially threatened the health and welfare of animals at the facility.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is proposing to revoke Miller’s high-volume dog-breeding license, identified in the records as license No. CB0009Z7.
Allegations involving two dogs in 2024
The state’s notice contains two separate counts.
In the first count, the Department of Agriculture alleges that Miller allowed an individual identified only by the initials “RR” to engage in sexual conduct with two dogs connected to his commercial breeding business during the fall of 2024.
According to the notice, Miller allegedly allowed the individual to leave his property with a black male poodle and take the dog to a hotel.
The department alleges Miller believed at the time that the individual intended to engage in sexual conduct with the dog at another location.
The individual allegedly returned to Miller’s property the following day, said he had engaged in sexual conduct with the poodle and requested access to another dog.
State officials allege Miller then allowed the individual to take a female Burmese mountain dog into a private room inside the kennel while knowing what the individual allegedly intended to do.
The notice states Miller later learned that the individual had engaged in sexual conduct with the second dog.
These are findings and allegations contained in the Department of Agriculture’s administrative notice. The document does not identify “RR” by name or state whether that individual has been criminally charged.
Second incident allegedly occurred in February
The second count involves an individual identified only as “G” and a male standard poodle belonging to Miller’s commercial breeding operation.
According to the department, Miller allegedly allowed the individual to engage in sexual conduct with the dog inside his kennel on or about February 2026.
The state alleges Miller knew what the individual intended to do and later learned that sexual conduct had occurred.
The records provided to ACP News do not identify “G” or indicate whether that individual has been charged with a crime.
State says Miller failed to protect dogs
The Department of Agriculture determined that Miller allegedly failed to prevent or take corrective action after becoming aware of improper care involving the dogs.
State regulations require high-volume breeders to monitor dogs and puppies for evidence of disease, injury or improper or inadequate care. When evidence of those conditions is discovered, breeders must take corrective action under veterinary guidance.
Breeders are also required to handle dogs in a manner that minimizes distress.
Under Ohio’s administrative rules, distress can include animals being injured, sick, in pain or kept under inappropriate environmental conditions.
The department alleges Miller’s conduct violated both requirements.
“Failure to prevent or take corrective measures of improper care once the licensee is aware of the improper care” violates Ohio’s commercial dog-breeding regulations, the notice states.
The department further determined that Miller failed to minimize distress to the dogs.
License revocation is proposed, not yet final
The Department of Agriculture’s action is an administrative proceeding separate from the criminal cases currently pending against Miller.
The agency has proposed revoking Miller’s license, but the revocation was not final at the time the notice was issued.
Miller was given 30 days from service of the notice to request an administrative hearing. During that proceeding, he would have the right to be represented by an attorney, present evidence, submit arguments and question witnesses appearing for and against him.
If Miller does not request a hearing within the required period, he would waive his right to challenge the proposed action administratively, according to the notice.
The document was signed by Dr. Melissa Simmerman, an animal health veterinarian with the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Commercial Dog Breeders Office.
Investigation led to removal of dogs
The administrative notice was issued one day before authorities removed dozens of dogs and puppies from Miller’s property.
That investigation involved the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society of Ashland County and the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Miller has since been arrested and charged in Ashland Municipal Court in connection with the investigation. Those criminal charges remain pending, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Department of Agriculture’s allegations involving sexual conduct with the dogs are administrative findings contained in the newly released records. The documents do not establish that Miller has been convicted of those allegations in a criminal court.
ACP News will continue reviewing the records obtained from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
