Iowa continues to have an overwhelming number of problem breeders and dealers, according to an annual report that aims to shed light on problematic commercial dog breeders.The Humane Society of the United States recently published the "Horrible Hundred," an annual report that compiles a list of known, problematic breeding and/or puppy brokering facilities. It's designed to raise awareness that if you buy puppies from the internet or pet stores, you could be supporting puppy mills.This year, Iowa has the third-highest number of dealers in the report with 10. Last year, Iowa had nine facilities on the list. The organization said there are as many as 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. and about one-third of breeders listed in the Humane Society's report are "repeat offenders." The information in the report is a compilation of records from inspection data in states that inspect puppy mills, as well as from available court records, consumer complaints, investigator visits and media reports.Advocates for animal rights say Iowa is notoriously a safe haven for offending dog breeders due to a restraint in animal cruelty laws, weak enforcement and powerful agricultural groups that resist stricter regulations.These Iowa locations made the 2018 list:- Ackworth, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA; believed to be Helene Hamrick, Wolf Point Kennel (REPEAT OFFENDER) – Dogs had live maggots crawling in their food; dog’s feet were falling through gridded flooring; licensee received prior official warning from USDA.- Bloomfield, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA – Dead Chihuahua found with large, open wound (that) had gone unnoticed by the licensee.- Cincinnati, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA; believed to be Henry Sommers (REPEAT OFFENDER) – Multiple repeat violations; Yorkie had foot swollen to twice its normal size; puppy had swollen eyelids with yellow discharge; bichon had open wound on her neck.- Ionia, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA; believed to be David Horning – Fifteen dogs found in need of care during March 2018 USDA inspection included a dog with a bleeding mouth, a dog with a red and oozing eye, dogs with patches of missing hair and irritated skin, many dogs with dental disease and two dogs with injured feet; USDA listed most of the issues under a single “Direct” violation.- Ireton, Iowa: Dean Dekkers, Double D Kennels–Dogs with unsafe housing; inadequate space; excessive feces; failure to obtain enough adult staff to care for 90 dogs.- Knoxville, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA; believed to be Tim Galeazzi, Double G Kennels – Inspector found emaciated Shih Tzu nursing six puppies and emaciated poodle who appeared “depressed and lethargic” with little body fat or muscle, puppies on unsafe wire flooring.- Lucas, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA – Inspector found 17 dogs needing veterinary care; 10 of them disappeared before the next inspection. Dogs had infections and injuries; one “cried out” in pain while being handled.- New Sharon, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA – Dogs in need of veterinary care included two German shepherds with raw, open wounds; repeat violation for lack of adequate veterinary care.- Sioux Center, Iowa: Shaggy Hill Farm – Unlicensed kennel; believed to have over 140 dogs, yet failed to let state inspector on property.- Unionville, Iowa: Name withheld by USDA; believed to be Fox Creek Kennels aka Iowa Fox Creek Kennels – Great Danes found in 7 degree weather with their water bowls frozen solid (January 2018); Great Dane found in emaciated condition with ribs and backbone showing.