Investigation Report: Heartland Sales Dog Auction (Cabool, Missouri)
Location: 711 Roberts Street, Cabool, Missouri
Auction Schedule: Sale held monthly every third Saturday
Website: https://heartlandsale.hibid.com/
Veterinary Services Observed: Dr. Sally Burd, Graff Veterinary Clinic, 9329 State Rte 38, Graff, MO 65660
Overview
On February 21, 2026, Animals’ Angels investigators attended the Heartland Sales Dog Auction in Cabool, Missouri, to document conditions for approximately 220 dogs offered for sale that day. The auction is owned and operated by Hank Grosenbacher, who also serves as the auctioneer.
Missouri remains a central hub of the commercial dog breeding industry, consistently ranking among the states with the highest number of problem breeders. Auctions like Heartland serve as a point of exchange within this system — where dogs are bought and sold between breeders, brokers, and other industry participants.
What our investigators documented raises serious concerns about the level of care provided to the animals at this sale. What we found supports mounting evidence that dog auctions do not treat dogs humanely.
What are dog auctions?
Dog auctions are venues where commercial breeders — including large-scale puppy mills — sell dogs in a manner similar to livestock, often to pet stores, brokers, or other breeders. The process is transactional and fast-paced, with animals assigned numbers and sold to the highest bidder.
Within this system, profit takes priority over welfare. Dogs may be bred repeatedly, with little consideration for their long-term health or quality of life.
The consequences of this model are well documented: overcrowding, untreated medical issues, genetic defects, and dogs confined to wire flooring with limited access to sunlight, exercise, or consistent care. Females are often bred until they can no longer produce, then sold off. Puppies can enter the pipeline at a very young age — moving through auctions, brokers, and ultimately into the retail market.
Missouri remains a central hub of this industry. Year after year, it ranks among the states with the highest number of problem breeders in the Humane Society’s “Horrible Hundred” report. Large-scale brokers operating in the region distribute thousands of puppies nationwide, supplying pet stores and online sales channels. While the Midwest has a high concentration of breeding operations, the network extends across the country — with auctions like Heartland playing a role in sustaining it.
Access and Restrictions
Upon arrival, investigators encountered signage prohibiting photography and video recording, with warnings of prosecution for noncompliance.
Limitations on documentation reduce transparency and make it difficult for the public to see firsthand how animals are treated inside these sales.
Conditions in the Kennels
Dogs were housed in stacked wire cages or floor kennels inside the sale barn. Many were forced to stand or sit directly on wire flooring, with no solid resting surface. While this setup allows waste to fall through, it offers no relief for the animals’ feet or joints.
Below the cages, absorbent pellets had been placed to manage moisture. Some enclosures contained minimal bedding, but conditions overall were dirty.
Water was present in many kennels; however, numerous bowls were contaminated with feces, rendering them unsuitable for drinking. At no point during the investigation did we observe staff replacing or cleaning the water. Several larger floor pens contained visible accumulations of feces that were not addressed.
The environment was not only unsanitary but also stressful for many of the dogs.
Animals’ Angels’ Investigation Assessment: Pen Area
| Bedding | Water | Food | Overcrowded | Fans | Dark | Filthy | Outdoor | Catwalk | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Some | Dirty | Some | Some | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Animal Observations
Several individual cases highlighted both physical and behavioral distress:
- A French bulldog (#136) repeatedly pulled at the kennel’s carabiner latch, ultimately rubbing his mouth raw.
- Another French bulldog (#146) had only one eye, which appeared surgically removed. She also appeared pregnant; auction notes indicated she may have been bred.
- Two Yorkshire terriers (#183 and #186) began fighting inside their enclosure. An employee intervened only after being alerted by an investigator.
- A Wheaten Terrier (#114) stood facing the back corner of the kennel, holding both hind legs raised. Although cleared during the brief veterinary check, the dog’s posture suggested significant discomfort or stress.
More broadly, investigators observed multiple dogs cowering, shaking, or retreating to corners of their enclosures. Others sought attention when approached, indicating a range of stress responses within the same environment.
Auction Operations
A preview was held the evening prior to the sale. Not all dogs were present at that time; some had reportedly been transported from out of state shortly before the auction.
The sale began at approximately 9:45 AM and concluded around 2:45 PM. Dogs were sold for prices ranging from $150 to $1,700, with a Cavalier among the highest-priced animals.
The majority of dogs were small breeds, including miniature poodles, Shih Tzus, French bulldogs, and terriers. Many were sold in groups described as “kennel clear-outs,” suggesting dispersal of breeding stock.
Conclusion
The Heartland Sales Dog Auction illustrates a system in which dogs are treated as commodities — identified by numbers, confined in basic holding conditions, and sold with limited consideration for their immediate welfare.
While some provisions, such as water and minimal bedding, were present, the overall conditions fell short of what would be expected for animals in transit and handling. Contaminated water, unclean enclosures, and visible signs of stress among the dogs point to gaps in care that cannot be overlooked.
Animals’ Angels will continue to attend and document dog auctions and similar sales venues. By bearing witness and reporting what we find, we aim to bring transparency to a largely hidden industry and push for greater accountability.
Animals’ Angels is there with the animals. We bear witness to their neglect and exploitation, making sure their suffering is not hidden. By exposing the truth and demanding accountability, we work tirelessly to end systems of abuse. We will not rest until no animal is harmed — and we will be their voice for as long as it takes.
With your support, our voice grows stronger. Together, we can bring change.
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