Iowa puppy mill dogs end up at luxury pet stores

State of play: Federal authorities shut down Gingerich's operation this year after the Department of Agriculture accused the Iowa breeder of violating the Animal Welfare Act more than 100 times.

• Inspectors noted deplorable conditions at the Wayne County mill, including a golden retriever covered in feces and a poodle puppy so sick that it died in their arms.

Yes, but: Despite their treacherous beginnings, veterinary records tracking nearly 500 of Gingerich's dogs showed that many of them ended up at out-of-state pet stores, ICD reports.

• These stores, which declined to talk, marketed themselves as "luxury" retailers with names like "Diamonds and Doggies," selling the dogs for thousands of dollars.

The big picture: Across the U.S., at least 300 cities and several states have passed laws trying to end or regulate the retail sale of pets.

• In Iowa, legislators attempted the opposite. Senate Republicans proposed a law banning local municipalities from enforcing laws regulating zoos and pet stores. It didn't pass.

Go deeper: Iowa puppy-mill dogs were sold at ‘Luxury Puppies’ and other upscale retailers