ASHLAND — An investigation into a Loudonville dog breeder has been ongoing for about four to five weeks.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider said deputies and partner agencies involved in the investigation have worked diligently investigating the case against 64-year-old Daniel Miller.
“They’ve really done a good job of uncovering all the facts, looking into this thing, getting into the weeds and really taking a hard look at what potential criminal acts occurred,” Schneider said Wednesday following Miller’s appearence in Ashland Municipal Court.
The sheriff also shared his appreciation for the Ashland County Humane Society, which assisted ACSO and the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the surrender of Miller’s 72 dogs and continues to care for them along with other rescue groups.
“The community has had just an overwhelming support for these animals, which is important,” Schneider said. “Obviously, it’s hard to get your head wrapped around this kind of stuff.”
ACSO Deputy Curtis Hall, who also serves as the county’s dog warden, filed 10 new charges filed Tuesday against Miller.
Judge John Good set Miller’s bond at $25,000 cash Wednesday morning, with no permitted 10-percent posting, and personal recognizance bond.
A special condition to Miller’s bond was also applied, specifying that he cannot possess, keep, have under control or harbor any animal — including both companion animals and/or livestock — while the case is pending.
According to municipal court records, Miller was bonded out just past 3:20 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after Hitchman Bail Bonds posted surety in the amount of $54. If Miller fails to appear at his next court date — currently set for Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. — Hitchman would be liable to pay the full $25,000 bail amount as penalty.
Schneider said the investigation remains ongoing.
Without going into further detail, the sheriff said additional charges are a possibility, as well as the possibility of charges filed against other individuals. Miller is currently the lone individual charged in this case.
“We are not done,” he 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.”
Schneider describes reaction to allegations
Combined with two additional misdemeanor charges stemming from his first arrest, Miller now faces 12 misdemeanor counts:
- Cruelty to a companion animal (six counts)
- Engage in sexual conduct with an animal
- Possessing criminal tools
- Deprive a companion animal of sustenance
- Torture, torment or commit act of cruelty
- Falsification
- Obstructing official business
“When this first came to my 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,” the sheriff 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, a little disturbing.”
The initial tip for the investigation of Miller came from another Ohio law enforcement agency, which ACSO followed up on accordingly, the sheriff said.
Schneider did say Miller, minus a few minor exceptions, has been cooperative and generally forthcoming with information.
Hall said a broader investigation related to Miller’s kennel licensing is still “very active.”
When asked about allegations that Miller was hiding dogs and/or puppies in the wooded area near his property, Hall said he couldn’t share specifics at this point in the investigation.
The dog warden did stress the health and safety of the dogs has been the top concern of all involved agencies.
“That’s everyone’s concern, is that we get those dogs into a safe place and then we investigate this in a way that everybody is safe, everybody’s been treated with respect and even the animals are getting treated with respect,” Hall said. “That has occurred now. The animals are in safe places.”
Special prosecutor says dogs identified in charges ‘in good condition’
DanaMarie Pannella, special prosecutor assigned to the criminal case, said the special bond condition keeping Miller from possessing, keeping, having under control or harboring any animal was vital.
Pannella said the special bond condition the state requested is allowed under law.
“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,” she said. “Obviously the allegations are serious. We don’t want to subject anymore animals to the alleged conduct that we are bringing forth here.”
The special prosecutor also provided an update on the dog known as Hiro, a larger-sized male poodle specified in the allegations involving sexual conduct.
She said Hiro is currently with a rescue group “doing great.”
“He was neutered a couple of days ago,” Pannella said. “He is a dog who is one of our neglect charges as well, so he is on the thinner side and suffering from some medical conditions as well.”
Some of the neglect allegations are related to “untreated parasites,” as well as a lack of sufficient food and water — which could be a result of the parasitic infection or a lack of adequate food and water being provided, she said.
Panella said the other dogs identified in the charges are all in good condition.
“I’m very pleased with how seriously everyone is taking this case, including the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, the humane society and, today, Judge Good,” she said. “These are serious allegations and although it is a second-degree misdemeanor, it is a serious crime.”
Panella declined to dive into specifics about what type of evidence has been collected in the case.
“I can tell you there’s evidence,” said the special prosecutor, who explained the evidence will be presented through the court process.
All dogs involved in this case are currently with several rescue partners, getting medical attention and being spayed or neutered, Panella said. They will eventually be available for adoption.
