Breeder: Steven Yoder
Address: 695 600 W
City, State, Zip: LaGrange, IN 46761
USDA License: unknown
Date of CAPS Investigation: 7/3/18
Time of CAPS Investigation: 12:50
Weather at time of investigation: 88°F and sunny
Approximate number of dogs observed at time of investigation: 3
Breeds: Bull Mastiffs
The observed kennel was a single building, with a fence blocking the view of the western side of the building, and seven outdoor cages observable on the eastern side. The elevated cages had solid metal beam walls and doggie-doors to allow access to indoor areas. The floorings of each cage were about half thick-gauge treated wire, and what appeared to be solid aluminum. Some cages had the flooring sagging down so that a space of about four inches existed between the bottom of the outer cage wall and the flooring, which could allow dogs’ legs to become caught between them and injured (3.1 Housing Facilities, General (a) Structure; construction).
In each of three enclosures, a single Mastiff was seen walking outside at a time.
Conditions contradicting pet store claims
I visited Worldwide Puppies and Kittens in Bellmore, NY on 5/17/18. An employee (Caucasian female, about 25 years old, 5’4”, 155 lbs, with long brown hair) claimed that the store’s breeders do not keep dogs in cages. This statement is contradicted by the dogs observed at the kennel being in metal cages.
