Alvin J Herschberger – Hill Top Puppies

September 23, 2019 — Routine inspection, USDA 31-A-0589

99 dogs recorded (62 adults · 37 puppies).

• Chaweeni puppy non-weight-bearing hind legs (Direct)

  On today’s inspection, a white female chaweeni puppy born on 8/12/2019 was noticed to be sitting in the corner of the whelping box as its litter mate ran around. After watching the puppies for a few minutes, it was apparent that the puppy was not moving or as active as the other puppy due to an impairment of her hind legs. She would try to move around, but was unable to rise to her feet as her legs remained curved up under her, stiff and non-weight bearing. She would inch around on her belly after several attempts to use her hind legs. At one point the Licensee tried to coax the puppy to move and she cried out after several attempts of being unable to rise to her feet and walk. There was a total of 4 puppies in this litter, 2 of the litter mates are identified on the cage card as dying from unknown causes on 8/20/2019. The Licensee did not communicate with the Attending Veterinarian after ½ of the litter died un-expectantly 8 days after birth. In addition, the Licensee did not notice the hind leg issue with this puppy. Failure to preform daily observation and identify health concerns, such as this, delays the process of providing appropriate veterinarian care to animals that are in dire need and can prolong an animal’s pain and discomfort. The Licensee must have methods in place for daily observation of all animals. In addition, the Licensee must ensure that there are mechanisms of direct and frequent communication in place and that timely and accurate information on problems, to include the dog identified above, of animal health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian. Correct By: Close of Business on 9/24/2019

• Outside shelters lack wind breaks

  On today's inspection there are 18 dogs that are being housed in outside enclosures. All of the outside enclosures have shelter structures that do not have a wind break/rain break at the entrance. Without having the wind/rain break at the entrance of the shelter structure, wind, rain or snow can blow directly on the dogs. This does not provide the animals proper protection from the elements. The Licensee must ensure that all outside shelter structures have wind breaks and rain breaks at the entrance to provide the animals with proper protections from the wind, rain and snow. Correct By: 9/30/2019

• Metal barrel shelters used

  This facility is currently using mettle barrels as shelter structure in 2 outside enclosure that contain 6 dogs. Metal barrels, cars, refrigerators or freezers, or the like must not be used as shelter structures. These types of structures are not deemed appropriate in all temperature extremes as being acceptable or appropriate shelter materials for dogs. The Licensee must use shelter material at are acceptable and appropriate for all Ohio weather extremes. Correct By: 9/30/3019

• Unprotected open-top self feeders

  The facility is currently using self feeders with open tops to feed the dogs housed in the outside enclosures. There are a total of 4 self feeders that are placed out in the open without any protection from the rain or snow. There are a total of 8 dogs that are housed in these enclosures and using the self feeders. The current location of these self feeders will not minimize contamination and will allow the food to be affected by the elements. All self feeders must be located in an area within the enclosure that is easily accessible to the dogs, but also located in an area where they are protected from the rain and snow. Correct By: 9/24/2019

Read the inspection report (PDF)