Authorities find more dogs on convicted puppy mill operator’s Boone Co. property

The convicted operator of a puppy mill in Boone County is now serving prison time after nearly 150 dogs were rescued from the mill and his probation was revoked last month.

Joel Paris, 59, was the owner and operator of Paris Puppies Paradise, a breeding facility in Ogden. He surrendered his breeding license after a Boone County Sheriff’s investigation in September 2023 found dozens of dogs living in “terrible” conditions at his breeding facility.

The Animal Rescue League assisted with the rescue of almost 100 canines from Paris’ puppy mill in September 2023. Less than a year later, in July 2024, another 46 dogs were removed from the same property.

Paris initially pleaded guilty to animal neglect, sentenced to probation

Paris was charged with and pleaded guilty to one count of animal neglect with serious injury or death and three counts of animal neglect with injury. He was fined $2,145 and ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, though his five-year prison sentence was suspended so long as Paris did not violate probation requirements.

According to court documents, in October 2024, law enforcement discovered even more dogs in his possession, including dogs hidden on his property and on other properties.

A judge revoked Paris’ probation on Jan. 22 and ordered him to serve time in prison.

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Welfare check leads to first puppy rescue 

Paris’ first run-in with the authorities came when a Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy was performing a routine welfare check on a then-missing Sara Stanfield in September 2023 along 170th Street, a few miles north of Ogden.

The deputy noticed several neglected poodles in what he believed was a functioning puppy mill. The officer called animal control and told the Animal Rescue League and the Boone Area Humane Society Animal to inspect the property.

Authorities removed 92 dogs, 81 of which were taken to the Animal Rescue League while 11 were transported to the Boone Area Humane Society.

Multiple dogs were suffering from visible injuries and were very thin, according to court documents. The dogs were also living in “unsanitary conditions” and had “significant matting” all over their bodies from what authorities attributed to “living in feces and urine.”

One of the dogs had to be euthanized after suffering severe heart failure, according to the original criminal complaint.

Authorities subsequently charged and arrested Paris and Stanfield each on four counts of animal neglect in October 2023.

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Nearly 50 more dogs rescued less than a year later

The ARL and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department returned to the Ogden property in July 2024 to rescue 46 dogs.

The animals were initially removed from what officials described as unsanitary conditions.

Paris signed a statement stating, “I am not going to breed anymore. I give up my license,” according to court documents.

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Probation revoked after authorities discover more dogs

Paris was given two years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of animal neglect with serious injury or death and three counts of animal neglect with injury.

The state filed a probation revocation on Sept. 20, 2024, which alleged on or about July 19, 2024, Paris had 17 dogs on his property and had been hiding dogs off of his property. The dogs were surrendered and he was directed to have only three “intact” dogs on his property, according to court documents.

Authorities, in October, pursued another tip that Paris was once again harboring dogs on his property.

According to court documents, officials met with Paris on Oct. 8, 2024. Seven dogs were found on his property and two more were found hidden on his land. Paris had also hidden a female dog with a tenant in the city of Boone where more dogs were later found.

Paris will serve the original five-year prison sentence that was suspended.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Boone County puppy mill operator was hiding dogs, will serve time

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