Sheriff’s Office Video Sheds New Light on Loudonville Dog Breeder’s Arrest
Video records officials alleging dogs were hidden in woods and weeds during state inspection
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — Just released video from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office provides additional details about the investigation that led to the arrest of a Loudonville-area dog breeder and the removal of 72 dogs and puppies from his property.
Daniel A. Miller, 64, was arrested Aug. 27 at a large-volume dog breeding operation at 362 Ashland County Road 2575. He was accused of obstructing official business and falsification involving allegedly misleading a public official.
The charges are accusations. Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
State and County Officials Visit Property
The video shows representatives from the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division and Commercial Dog Program at the property with Ashland County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Those present included dog-program inspectors, a veterinarian, a detective and a deputy.
Early in the recording, officials questioned Miller about when a black poodle had left his property. Miller attempted to estimate the date by connecting it to Ohio’s gun season.
The black poodle also figured notably in Miller’s previously released account of the investigation. Miller said detectives initially questioned him about a man who allegedly obtained the dog from him in 2024.
Miller claimed the man took the poodle to a motel but returned it the following morning. Miller said a detective later told him that the man was suspected of sexually abusing the animal.
Authorities have not publicly identified that individual or announced whether the person faces criminal charges.
Officials Raise Concerns About Dogs Outside
The video also captures officials discussing dogs that had reportedly been placed outside while the inspection was underway.
One person questioned whether the animals had access to water and whether remaining outside for several hours in hot conditions could endanger them.
“If we were here for four hours doing this, that’s four hours in the hot sun,” one official said.
The footage does not provide a complete veterinary assessment of the animals or establish how long they had been outside.
Officials Allege Dogs Were Concealed
The encounter shifted when officials said they discovered additional dogs that had not previously been disclosed.
“They hid dogs from us,” an official can be heard saying in the video. “So, they obstructed us.”
Another official later said dogs had been found “in the woods and in the weeds.”
The officials began discussing whether they would need to obtain a search warrant and whether hiding dogs from state inspectors could constitute a criminal offense.
One official contacted another person by telephone and said Miller had allegedly “obstructed us and hid dogs in the woods and in the weeds.”
“Yeah, I’m going to hook him here in a little bit,” the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Dog Warden said during the call.
An investigator later confronted Miller directly about the allegations.
“Daniel, I know something else is going on here,” the investigator said. “And if you make me find out what you’re hiding dogs, you’re doing a lot of criminal behavior.”
The investigator accused Miller of repeatedly lying during the investigation.
“I’ve been lied to a lot in my career,” the investigator said. “I can’t remember the last guy that lied as much as you.”
“I’m sorry I did,” Miller responded. “I try not to.”
The investigator said officials needed to examine Miller’s forms and compare them with the dogs found at the property.
“We’ve got to make sure that the dogs match,” the investigator said. “We’ve got to make sure that we have all the dogs.”
The released segment does not show Miller being handcuffed or provide the full context surrounding every statement made during the encounter.
Video Challenges Parts of Miller’s Account
Following his arrest, Miller posted a lengthy Facebook statement denying that he had intentionally concealed dogs or lied to investigators.
He said some dogs were discovered inside a barn after officials initially believed all the animals would be in a kennel or exercise area. Miller also alleged that authorities pressured him into signing over the dogs and treated him unfairly because he is Amish.
The newly released video documents officials alleging that dogs were found in the woods and weeds, not only inside a barn. It also records Miller apologizing after being accused of lying, although the precise statement or conduct to which his apology referred is not made clear in the footage.
The video does not resolve all the disputed claims surrounding the investigation. Full investigative reports, inspection records and court filings may provide additional context.
Humane Society Takes in 72 Dogs and Puppies
Humane Society of Ashland County Director Tiffany Meyer previously said the organization helped rescue 50 adult dogs and 22 puppies from the operation.
The County Road 2575 property has previously been associated with Miller and businesses identified as Happy Mountain K9 Facilities, Happy Mountain Canine Facilities and Puppys R Us.
The operation appeared in the Humane World for Animals formerly called, Humane Society of the United States’ 2019 and 2021 “Horrible Hundred” reports, which highlighted dog breeding and puppy-selling operations accused of animal-care problems.
Historical inspection findings do not establish Miller’s guilt in the current case.
Authorities have not announced whether Miller or anyone else could face additional charges.
ACP News will continue following the investigation and report additional information as it becomes available.
