Justice for Tammy, Terry, Todd, and Tom: The Dark Reality Behind Online Puppy Brokers
Lancaster, PA Dog Breeder Faces Animal Cruelty Charges for Killing Four Puppies
On March 6, 2025, John S. Stoltzfus Jr., 46, will appear for a Status Conference at the Lancaster, PA County Court for allegedly killing four innocent Sheepadoodle puppies—Tammy, Terry, Todd, and Tom. His reasoning? The puppies “weren’t selling” due to their black color.
This horrific case sheds light on the cruel reality of the commercial dog breeding industry and the online puppy broker websites that fuel it.
What Happened to the Puppies?
According to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office:
October 31, 2023 – Lancaster County Detectives received a tip from the New Holland Police Department after an employee from the online puppy broker website Greenfield Puppies reported a disturbing phone call.
John Stoltzfus a dog breeder listing puppies for sale on Greenfield Puppies, called them instructing them to remove the four puppies from their website because “black puppies aren’t selling.” He then admitted to putting them to sleep himself—without a veterinarian.
November 1, 2023 when police arrived at Stoltzfus’ Hollander Road property, he first claimed the puppies had been disposed of in a compost pile. However, when detectives pressed him, he later pointed to a barn floor drain where cow manure runs off, suggesting that’s where the bodies were discarded. No puppy remains were found.
The defendant is now facing charges relating to the deaths of the 4 puppies he admitted to euthanizing himself:
✔ 4 counts of aggravated animal cruelty
✔ 4 counts of animal cruelty
Stoltzfus remains free on $10,000 unsecured bail and is prohibited from buying, breeding, or selling animals while awaiting trial. There is a Status Conference scheduled March 6, 2025 at noon. Animal advocates will gather for a rally at noon outside the courthouse.
How Online Puppy Brokers Enable Cruelty
Greenfield Puppies: An Online Advertising Source for Dog Breeders
GreenfieldPuppies.com, is an online advertising platform for dog breeders, that allows breeders, including John Stoltzfus, to list and advertise puppies for sale. Their platform does not directly provide breeder oversight which can result in listings from unethical breeders.
What is Greenfield Puppies?
- GreenfieldPuppies.com is NOT a breeder. It is an online advertising source for dog breeders that lists puppies for sale from breeders across Pennsylvania and beyond.
- Many Amish and Mennonite dog breeders in Lancaster County, PA rely puppy broker websites because they do not use technology for direct sales of puppies. Broker sites like Greenfield Puppies photograph, list and often times arrange transportation for puppies sold, making it easier for breeders to reach buyers without disclosing their breeding conditions.
The Amish and Mennonite Connection to Commercial Dog Breeding
Many Amish and Mennonite communities in Lancaster County participate in commercial dog breeding. While not all operate inhumanely, the area has faced much criticism for poor breeding conditions and has a well-documented history of large-scale breeding facilities. These breeders often:
Keep dogs in overcrowded dark barns in wire cages with minimal human interaction.
Focus on quantity over quality, mass-producing puppies for online sale.
Avoid online interactions and rely on third party puppy broker websites to facilitate sales.
This lack of transparency of puppy broker websites enables puppy mill operators to thrive while unsuspecting buyers believe they are purchasing from small, ethical breeders.
Red Flags of Puppy Broker Websites
If you are looking for a puppy, beware of these warning signs:
✔ Multiple breeders listed under one website – Ethical breeders don’t sell through third-party marketplaces.
✔ No in-person breeder visits allowed – Responsible breeders want to meet buyers.
✔ Unrealistic guarantees – Some sites offer “health guarantees” that are difficult to claim.
✔ “Available Now” an endless supply of puppies – Ethical breeders have waiting lists, not mass inventory.
✔ They can’t provide current pictures of the mother and father dogs.
Demand Justice for Tammy, Terry, Todd, and Tom
This case is a tragic reminder that puppies are being bred and discarded like products in the commercial pet trade. Stoltzfus should not walk free after killing 4 healthy puppies because they weren’t selling fast enough.
March 6, 2025 – The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas will hear the case at 50 N Duke St. Lancaster, PA 17608 at noon.
How You Can Help:
✅ Share this story #PuppyMillsHideinPlainSite
✅ Contact your state and federal legislators asking for stricter breeding laws and accountability for animal cruelty
✅ Adopt, don’t shop! Support rescues instead of commercial breeders
✅ Report unethical breeding practices and sick puppies
Online Puppy Brokers and Puppy Mills
Cases like Stoltzfus’ are not rare, they are part of a larger system that prioritizes profit over animal welfare.
This case highlights a disturbing reality and concerns about what happens to puppies that don’t sell quickly in the commercial breeding industry.
By providing a platform for breeders like John Stoltzfus, puppy broker websites can fuel the unethical side of the dog breeding industry, where dogs often suffer due to lack of oversight and regulation.
Justice for Tammy, Terry, Todd, and Tom starts with awareness. Share this blog and be a voice for the voiceless. Join the rally at the courthouse at noon March 6, 2025.
