A nonprofit that claimed to rescue dogs and place them in loving homes is now accused of deceiving donors — including those in Scioto County — and using charitable donations to bankroll a for-profit puppy business.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday that his office has filed a lawsuit alleging that Dogs to the Rescue operated as a sham charity in both Knox County and Scioto County, misleading animal lovers who believed their donations were going directly to help rescue dogs.
“It doesn’t take a bloodhound to sniff out this scheme,” Yost said. “When you exploit the generosity of animal lovers to fund a money-making business, you’ve strayed a long way from your charitable mission.”
According to the lawsuit, the organization falsely told donors that 100% of contributions would be used to find permanent homes for dogs, when in reality the money was allegedly diverted to support a commercial puppy-selling operation.
The lawsuit names Dogs to the Rescue along with board members Nathan Bazler, Sara Bazler and Opal Mustain, as well as a business called Little Puppies Online, as defendants. The attorney general accuses them of unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and other violations of Ohio’s charitable laws.
Investigators say the organization collected donations while operating in Scioto County, giving local donors the impression they were supporting legitimate animal rescue efforts.
Records reviewed by the Attorney General’s office show the nonprofit’s board members allegedly paid themselves a combined $354,000 in 2022, despite working an average of only two hours per week for the organization. By the end of that same year, the nonprofit reportedly had just $42 left in assets and lacked documentation explaining the large payments.
The investigation also found that Nathan and Sara Bazler, a married couple who live in Richland County, allegedly used charitable funds to pay debts connected to a for-profit business called Maryland Puppies Online.
In 2022, the couple agreed to shut down that company and pay civil penalties after the State of Maryland accused them of violating laws related to puppy mills.
The Bazlers are also connected to another business, Little Puppies Online, located in Mount Vernon.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit seeks civil penalties, restitution for donors and a court order preventing the defendants from soliciting donations or operating charitable organizations in Ohio.
The case was filed by the Charitable Law Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which investigates nonprofit organizations and enforces laws intended to protect charitable donations.
