Alarming Pattern of Animal Welfare Violations at Local Breeding Operation Leads PETA to Seek Criminal Probe
For Immediate Release:
April 8, 2025
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
A just-released federal report reveals the seventh alleged violation of federal law in just 25 months at a breeding facility near Jasper operated by Sadie and Daniel Yoder. The report exposes the Yoders for failing to provide veterinary care for an injured or sick dog for the fourth time in less than 13 months. Despite this pattern of repeated violations, federal officials have yet to rescue a single animal or seek any penalties against the suspects, so PETA sent a letter today to Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, urging him to investigate and file criminal charges.
According to the report, on March 5, a federal veterinarian documented that the Yoders hadn’t sought care for a dog who had wounds on her tail who avoided bearing weight on her right hind leg, which, the official noted, is indicative of pain.
On November 26, 2024, the Yoders evidently acknowledged that they hadn’t even contacted a veterinarian about another dog who had been “unable to support weight” on her left forelimb for several weeks—indicating she was in “significant pain.” The official instructed them to secure care for the dog within 24 hours, but the Yoders apparently waited until November 29 to call a veterinarian—only to find their own phone inoperable. And on April 18, 2024, the Yoders reportedly admitted to not seeking veterinary care for a third dog who was missing fur and whose skin was dry and flaky.
“Miserable breeding factories like this one deny dogs crucial care and treat them as nothing but commodities to be churned out as cheaply as possible,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on Steuben County authorities to prosecute those who tormented these dogs and urges everyone to adopt their companion animals—never buy from a breeder or pet store.”
PETA is pursuing charges under state law because the federal government doesn’t render relief or aid to animals during its inspections, and—as the Yoders’ record shows—these violations carry no criminal or civil penalties.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Baker follows.
April 8, 2025
The Honorable Brooks Baker
Steuben County District Attorney
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office (and the proper law-enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and, as suitable, file criminal charges against those responsible for depriving injured dogs of veterinary care at a breeding facility operated by Sadie and Daniel Yoder at 3010 County Rte. 71. PETA hopes investigators will visit the facility with a veterinarian who has expertise in canine health and welfare to identify any animals in need of care and opine on the conditions of and for the approximately 34 dogs there.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarian and inspector documented neglect at the facility in the attached reports.
- On March 5, the USDA veterinarian found that the Yoders hadn’t sought care for a dog who avoided bearing weight on her right hind leg—which is “a sign of pain”—and had two wounds on her tail, one of which “expose[d] … deeper underlying tissue.”
- On November 26, 2024, the Yoders evidently acknowledged that they hadn’t even contacted a veterinarian about a dog who had been “unable to support weight” on her left forelimb for several weeks—indicating that she was in “significant pain.” The USDA instructed the Yoders to provide care to the dog by November 27. However, they apparently waited until November 29 before trying to call a veterinarian—only to find their phone inoperable.
- On April 18, 2024, the Yoders reportedly admitted to not seeking veterinary care for a third dog, who was missing hair on her back and hips and whose underlying skin was dry and flaky.
If you’d like to learn more about the USDA’s findings, please see the contact information for its office here. The USDA renders no aid or relief whatsoever to animals on site; these reports carry no criminal or civil penalties and don’t preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of animal neglect. These findings appear to violate New York’s prohibition against permitting animals to suffer unjustifiable physical pain, Agriculture & Markets Law § 353. New York law provides these victims with their only hope for a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Legal Advocacy
Cruelty Investigations Department
