ASHLAND — A second defendant has been charged in the investigation of a Loudonville dog breeding operation.
Ross C. Rutschilling, 24, of St. Henry, was charged with six offenses Wednesday in Ashland Municipal Court following an investigation by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
The criminal complaints were filed by Deputy Curtis Hall, who also serves as Ashland County’s dog warden.
St. Henry is a small village in western Ohio, located roughly 15 minutes east of the Ohio-Indiana border.
According to municipal court records, Rutschilling is facing the following six charges:
- Five counts of aiding/abetting in an act involving sexual conduct with an animal.
- One count of attempt to commit cruelty to companion animals.
Under Ohio Revised Code, all six charges are second-degree misdemeanors — which carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine up to $750.
The alleged offenses occurred on Sept. 12 and Dec. 27, 2025, and Feb. 7, Feb. 27 and March 7, 2026, according to court records.
All six of the alleged offenses reportedly took place at 362 Ashland County Road 2575 in Loudonville — the same address as Happy Mountain K9 Facility, operated by Loudonville dog breeder Daniel Miller, 64.
Charges against Rutschilling are alleged in connection with the ongoing investigation of Miller. The 24-year-old is the only additional person currently facing criminal charges in the investigation.
Rutschilling is scheduled to appear in municipal court before Judge John Good on Sept. 22 at 9 a.m., according to court records.
Background on Miller investigation
Daniel Miller, 64, was first arrested Aug. 27 following an ACSO investigation which led to him surrendering 72 dogs into the custody of the Ashland County Humane Society. He was charged with two misdemeanors in Ashland Municipal Court.
After being bonded out, Miller was arrested again on Sept. 8 and charged on 10 additional counts.
The investigation has been ongoing for about five to six weeks, involves multiple agencies and currently remains active, according to Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider.
Find all of Ashland Source’s ongoing coverage of the investigation here.
Miller’s next court appearance set for Oct. 13
Miller was arrested twice by ACSO deputies within a 12-day period.
The first arrest came on Aug. 27, leading to falsification and obstructing official business charges; the second arrest on Sept. 8 lead to 10 additional charges.
Miller currently faces 12 misdemeanor charges:
- Falsification
- Obstructing official business
- Torment or commit act of cruelty
- Deprive a companion animal of sustenance
- Six counts of cruelty to a companion animal
- Possessing criminal tools
- Engage in sexual conduct with an animal
Good set Miller’s bond at $25,000 cash during his Sept. 9 appearance in municipal court. The bond does not allow a 10% deposit.
The judge also granted a motion from the state to apply a special condition to Miller’s bond, 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.
Miller was bonded out in the afternoon on Sept. 9 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.
