Eleanor the Golden Retriever is a puppy mill survivor. She was rescued in August 2021. She was neglected, abused, and tortured at the hands of her owner, Daniel Gingerich of Seymour Iowa. He told rescue volunteers that to get Eleanor pregnant he did a surgical artificial insemination procedure on her.  He said he "cut her open, removed her uterus, artificially inseminated her, put her uterus back in her body, and then sewed her back up."

Eleanor came into care with a crudely sewed up incision on her abdomen that was infected, and about 5 inches long.  The vet did emergency exploratory surgery and found her uterus still in her pelvis covered in cysts, adhesions, and pyometra (a life threatening uterine infection.)  The vet also told us she had been sewed up with fishing line.  She also had a severe UTI, double ear infections, peritonitis (secondary to the pyometra), and a skin infection underneath the plastic collar she was wearing where all of her fur had been rubbed off. 

Daniel Gingerich had hundreds of other dogs that lived through the same conditions and treatment.  When USDA inspections happened, many dead and dying dogs were found on his property that needed critical vet care.  At that time none of the dogs were removed, and many did not survive due to the inaction of law enforcement and inspectors.

Sheriff Keith Davis of Wayne County Iowa has yet to file any kind of animal cruelty, abuse, neglect or torture charges on Daniel Gingerich, despite knowing and witnessing the conditions of the dogs on his property months ago. 

We would like to petition the Wayne County Sheriff to enforce the law, and bring justice for Eleanor and the hundreds of other dogs that suffered at the hands of Daniel Gingerich. 

Aside from signing this petition, please contact your legislators by using the links below to urge them to pass more laws that would further protect the dogs currently trapped in puppy mills.  

1. Goldie's Law

https://secure.everyaction.com/LOzreb9mz0SApnucikGEpw2

2. Puppy Protection Act

https://secure.everyaction.com/lDc5iiAxdkytJWXYHVW_Ng2