More dogs confiscated from alleged Tiffin area puppy mill owner’s residence

TIFFIN, OH — Seventeen more dogs have been confiscated as part of an investigation into animal cruelty and the potential operation of a puppy mill in the Tiffin area.

The sheriff’s office says a search warrant was signed for them to enter the puppy mill at 5046 State Highway 53, where they found 150 dogs in total — one of them deceased and 149 removed and homed at the Humane Society of Wyandot County.

Following the initial search warrant, another was signed by Judge Jay Meyer of the Seneca County Juvenile and Probate Court, which was executed at 175 N. Sandusky St., the residence of Orville and Debbra Alabaugh.

There, seventeen additional dogs were found after neighbors reported hearing barking dogs from the basement. Two Maltese dogs, two Schnauzers, two Papillons, two Bichons, and nine Shih Tzus.

According to a source familiar with the situation, someone would go to the building only three times a week to feed, water, and clean out cages.

Orville Alabaugh and Debbra Alabaugh, both of Tiffin, own the alleged puppy mill on SR 53, according to the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office. They say the couple could face potential criminal prosecution and charges through the Ohio Department of Agriculture.