CARTHAGE, Mo. — A Carthage dog-boarding business continued operating after its state license expired, and a Jasper County court entered a default judgment finding violations of Missouri’s licensing and inspection requirements, according to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
The Dog House on Apple Road LLC, operated by Deana Brown, was identified in an Oct. 7 announcement by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway as one of two animal-care businesses involved in state enforcement actions.
“Missourians care deeply about their pets and expect animals to be treated with care, compassion, and dignity,” Hanaway said in the announcement.
She said her office has a “responsibility to act to enforce the law.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the kennel’s license expired Jan. 31, 2025, and again Jan. 31, 2026. State inspectors documented more than two dozen dogs being boarded at the facility on two separate occasions while its license was expired. The office also reported that the business advertised boarding services on its property and along Highway 59.
The state said Brown refused a required annual inspection, told the inspector to leave immediately and said she would not permit further inspections.
In a post published Oct. 7 on the kennel’s official Facebook page, Brown said the business remained open and explained why she would no longer permit state officials to conduct annual inspections.
“I wanted to let you all know I will not be allowing the state of Missouri in my kennel again for annual inspections,” the post stated. “We operated fine for years before they decided to start this.”
Brown also raised concerns about kennel cough, a contagious respiratory illness in dogs, and the timing of previous inspections.
“I pinpointed their last two inspections (I allowed) to the worst kennel cough outbreaks we’ve ever had,” the post stated. “All owners are allowed to inspect anytime they wish. As always.”
The post did not provide further details about the reported outbreaks or documentation establishing a connection between the inspections and the illnesses. It also did not specifically address the state’s assertion that a required inspection had been refused.
The Attorney General’s Office said the Jasper County Circuit Court had entered a default judgment against Brown after she failed to appear in the case. According to the office, the court found violations of Missouri’s licensing and inspection requirements and granted permanent injunctive relief.
The Attorney General’s announcement did not include the case number, the date the judgment was entered or the specific terms of the court’s order.
The Carthage case was announced alongside a separate enforcement action involving Rocky Top K9 in West Plains. In that case, the state reported concerns involving overcrowded enclosures, structural defects and pest activity. Those allegations involved the West Plains facility, not The Dog House on Apple Road.
Missourians with concerns about animal-care facilities can submit complaints through the Missouri Attorney General’s Office at ago.mo.gov.
