COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio is no longer ranked second in an annual report exposing puppy mill allegations, but still had eight breeders in the “Horrible Hundred.”
Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society, publishes a list of 100 problematic puppy mill breeders in the U.S. each year. In the 2026 report, Ohio fell from the No. 2 spot in the Horrible Hundred report, now tied for the No. 5 position as home to eight of the 100 breeders included in the report.
The report, compiled by professional researchers, goes through court and inspection records to highlight breeders with consistent violations. Informally, these breeders are often called “puppy mills” because of their high-volume breeding and inhumane conditions. The report does not highlight all concerning breeders, but chooses to spotlight those with repeated concerns.
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Humane World for Animals staff said they put together the report to raise awareness and call for consequences toward repeat offenders. Melissa Tedrowe, Humane World for Animals’ Midwest regional director, said it’s important to personally screen breeders for possible inhumane actions…