Dead animals, swollen eyes, rat poison: Ohio breeder hid 800 chinchillas from inspectors for years; over 1

The Economic Times · ET Online · 2026-11-06 14:49 UTC

Dead animals, swollen eyes and open packets of rat poison were among the disturbing conditions uncovered at an Ohio chinchilla breeding facility. Federal inspectors also discovered that the breeder had allegedly hidden around 800 chinchillas in a separate building for years to avoid inspections. Following a federal investigation and a court-approved settlement, R & R Chinchilla Inc. has agreed to surrender more than 1,100 animals.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio endorsed a consent decree between the United States and R & R Chinchilla Inc., requiring the breeder to surrender the remaining 300-plus chinchillas at its facility in Jenera, Ohio.

The court order follows the voluntary surrender of approximately 800 additional chinchillas to animal welfare organizations under a modified temporary restraining order.

Photo of inside the separate building where about 800 chinchillas had been concealed

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