Sheriff: Investigation Into Loudonville-Area Dog Breeder Remains Active, Additional Charges Possible
ASHLAND, Ohio — The investigation involving Loudonville-area dog breeder Daniel A. Miller remains active, and authorities have not ruled out additional charges or the possibility that other people could be charged.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider, Deputy Curt Hall and special prosecutor DanaMarie Pannella spoke during a brief press conference at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office following Miller’s court hearing Wednesday morning.
Miller, 64, was arrested Tuesday by the Sheriff’s Office on 10 additional misdemeanor charges connected to the investigation. The new allegations include companion-animal cruelty offenses and a bestiality charge.
All charges are allegations. Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Investigation Has Lasted Several Weeks
Schneider said deputies have been investigating the case for at least four to five weeks and have worked closely with several partner organizations.
“These deputies have done an excellent job,” Schneider said. “They have really kind of dug into the weeds on this.”
The investigation has involved the Humane Society of Ashland County, state agencies and authorities in other counties. Schneider said animal-related licensing issues have also become part of the broader investigation.
“It just kind of all melted together,” Schneider said.
The sheriff emphasized that investigators have not finished reviewing the case.
“There are things we’re still looking into, so we are not done,” Schneider said. “As soon as we get the charges and things and all the facts together, then we’ll present those as well, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
When asked whether additional charges were possible, Schneider answered, “Could be.”
Miller is currently the only person charged in connection with the investigation. However, Schneider said investigators will examine whether anyone else was involved.
“We’re going to find out who all is involved in this and hold them to the same standards and accountability that Mr. Miller is,” Schneider said.
Sheriff Calls Allegations “Disturbing”
Schneider said he was taken aback when the allegations first reached his desk.
“I kind of had to lean back a little bit and just kind of stare out the window, wondering what the heck is going on with some of these decisions,” Schneider said. “It’s hard to believe this happens in this community, but it’s hard to believe it happens in any community. To say the least, it’s a little disturbing.”
While the Sheriff’s Office has previously investigated animal-related allegations, Schneider said he could not recall another local case reaching this extent.
Deputy Hall described the investigation as a combined effort involving multiple divisions within the Sheriff’s Office. Hall was brought into the case through the agency’s detective bureau.
“There was a lot to learn when this case came out and how to investigate it,” Hall said. “It was a combined effort. Everybody did a great job.”
Hall said investigators were surprised when they determined that some of the alleged conduct was classified only as a misdemeanor under Ohio law.
Animals Removed From Property
The investigation previously resulted in the removal of dozens of dogs and puppies from Miller’s property. Additional puppies were later born after the animals were placed in care.
Hall said ensuring the animals’ safety has remained the priority.
“That’s everyone’s concern, that we get those dogs into a safe place and then we investigate this in a way that everybody’s safe, everybody’s been treated with respect, and even the animals are getting treated with respect,” Hall said.
Hall confirmed that the animals are now in safe locations.
Authorities were also asked about allegations that dogs or puppies may have been hidden in a wooded area. Hall said he could not discuss specifics but confirmed the kennel-licensing investigation remains “very active.”
Hiro Recovering With Rescue Partner
Pannella provided an update on Hiro, the male poodle identified in allegations involving sexual conduct.
Hiro is a larger poodle weighing approximately 45 pounds and is currently being cared for by a rescue organization.
“Hiro is with a rescue partner doing great,” Pannella said. “He was neutered a couple of days ago.”
Hiro is also among the animals connected to the alleged neglect offenses. Pannella said the dog was underweight and suffering from medical problems.
Some of the neglect allegations involve untreated parasites and insufficient food or water. Pannella said an animal’s condition could result from a parasitic infection, a lack of adequate nutrition and water, or a combination of those factors.
The other dogs named in the charges were reported to be in good condition.
Pannella said all remaining animals are with rescue partners, where they are receiving medical care and being spayed or neutered. They are expected to eventually become available for adoption.
No-Animal-Contact Bond Condition
During Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors asked that Miller be prohibited from possessing or having contact with animals while the criminal case remains pending.
“The law does allow us to put in conditions of bond to help prevent offenses from reoccurring while the case is pending,” Pannella said. “In this case, we believed it was very important to prohibit Mr. Miller from having contact with any animals during the pendency of this case.”
Pannella said the restriction is intended to prevent any additional animals from being subjected to the conduct alleged by prosecutors.
She also praised the response from the Sheriff’s Office, Humane Society and Ashland Municipal Court Judge John L. Good.
“These are serious allegations,” Pannella said. “Although it is a second-degree misdemeanor, it is a serious crime.”
Ohio’s Bestiality Law Discussed
Pannella explained that Ohio’s law specifically prohibiting bestiality is relatively new and was adopted within approximately the past decade.
Before its passage, Ohio had no statute specifically addressing sexual conduct with an animal when the alleged act did not cause an injury that could be prosecuted under the state’s companion-animal cruelty laws.
“Not all acts of bestiality involve physical harm to the animal,” Pannella said. “Some of these acts that are even alleged in this case would not have been previously covered if this law had not been passed.”
She said prosecutors must distinguish between what they are required to prove under Ohio’s bestiality statute and what must be established under the state’s companion-animal cruelty laws.
Pannella declined to rank the Miller investigation against other animal-cruelty prosecutions but called it a serious case.
“Anytime we have an animal who is suffering due to human violence or neglect or the acts of human beings, it’s something that deserves to be treated seriously,” she said. “Animals can’t speak for themselves. They can’t consent to acts like this. They deserve protection from human beings.”
Prosecutor Says State Law Has Gaps
Pannella said she did not know whether pending efforts to strengthen Ohio’s law would ultimately pass the General Assembly. She cautioned that the legislative process can be lengthy and said proposed language may need additional changes to effectively address conduct seen in this and other investigations.
She also identified what she described as a loophole involving the possession of images or videos depicting sexual acts with animals.
Such investigations often begin with material distributed online, she said, but prosecutors may be unable to establish where or when the material was created, who appears in it or which animals were involved.
“While these allegations do happen, we often can’t prove them,” Pannella said.
When asked what type of evidence investigators have obtained in Miller’s case, Pannella declined to provide details.
“I can tell you there’s evidence,” she said, adding that the evidence would be presented through the court process.
Authorities said the initial tip came from another law enforcement agency. Ashland County investigators then followed up on that information.
The investigation remains ongoing.
