Jenera Breeder Ordered to Surrender 1,100 Chinchillas

R & R Chinchilla Inc. has been ordered to surrender more than 1,100 chinchillas following a federal investigation into its breeding operation in Jenera, Ohio. The U.S. Department of Justice described the conditions found at the facility as deeply troubling, prompting the agency to file a complaint against the company and its president, James F. Ritterspach.

The legal action stems from eighteen inspections conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture since September 2022. Inspectors identified multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act during nearly every visit, totaling 59 distinct violations over the past four years. An official warning was issued in 2024, which included two summary suspensions of the business after complaints were registered with the USDA.

Investigators documented several specific instances of neglect and misrepresentation. One complaint detailed an inspector observing Ritterspach remove a four-by-six-inch mat of hair from a chinchilla while holding the animal by the tail. Further allegations stated that the facility falsely reported having between 300 and 450 animals to USDA inspectors. In reality, Ritterspach allegedly kept about 800 additional chinchillas in a separate building to hide them from inspection.

During the August filing, the Justice Department noted that investigators found chinchillas with severely swollen eyes and discharge that prevented them from opening their eyes. Other findings included metal collars, open packets of rat poison, and high ammonia levels within the facility.

U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio emphasized that federally licensed pet breeders must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act. Toepfer stated that animals cannot be abused, kept in dirty cages, or neglected to the point of suffering or death. He added that the department would hold violators accountable and thanked USDA investigators for securing the surrender of the animals.

Ritterspach agreed to permanently stop all activities regulated under the federal Animal Welfare Act. The USDA separately revoked his license, and he has agreed to end all breeding operations after four decades in the business.