 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Posted on Tue, Oct. 17, 2006
Rendell to name puppy-mill regulator
The governor also will propose legislative changes, including stiffening the penalties for animal abuse.
By Amy Worden
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - Seeking to end the inhumane treatment of dogs in commercial breeding operations, Gov. Rendell is expected to announce
today the appointment a career state prosecutor to lead the embattled office charged with regulating 2,500 kennels across the state.
Jessie Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Office of Attorney General and a former board member of the Harrisburg Humane Society, has been
named special deputy secretary of the Bureau of Dog Law, according to administration sources.
Rendell, who pledged in March to take action to improve conditions in the state's "puppy mills," also is expected to announce the
appointment of Jeffrey Paladina, a former assistant district attorney, as special prosecutor for dog law enforcement and the establishment of
a four-member enforcement team that will be dispatched to problem kennels.
"This is the first step toward a long-term solution to the puppy-mill problem in Pennsylvania," said Bob Baker, an ASPCA consultant who
served on a working group that made recommendations to Rendell early this year. "This sends a strong message to breeders to straighten
up or there will be action."
Animal welfare groups say the bureau has been unable to stop the worst offenders because it had rarely used its power to suspend or
revoke kennel licenses. "The excuse it gave was that it didn't have an attorney to handle that," Baker said.
Rendell also is expected to announce the 16 new members of the Dog Law Advisory board, which is expected to meet next month to
consider regulatory changes to the dog law. Last spring Rendell fired the entire board, saying it had not been "proactive" enough.
Smith, former chief of torts litigation in the Attorney General's Office, will serve as liaison between the bureau, which is part of the
Department of Agriculture, and the Governor's Office, animal welfare groups, and breeders. Paladina most recently served as assistant
district attorney in Beaver County.
Rendell also is to present a package of proposed legislative changes, including stiffening the criminal penalties for animal abuse, requiring
revoking the kennel licenses of convicted of cruelty, and giving the bureau authority to issue civil penalties for dog law violations.
There are 216 breeding operations that each have more than 250 dogs in Pennsylvania, a number that has increased during the last 25
years. Conditions in the breeding facilities, which supply pet stores in the Northeast, have been the focus of national animal welfare groups
for years.
Many young dogs produced in puppy mills and sold to unwitting consumers have been found to have genetic conditions and fatal diseases.
Many of the breeding dogs spend their lives without socialization, crammed in wire cages stacked on top of one another.
An ASPCA undercover investigation last spring found almost all of the 17 kennels visited in Lancaster, Chester and Berks Counties had dog
law violations, such as dogs living in undersized cages, feces-coated pens, dogs with badly matted coats, and dogs suffering from eye
diseases, Baker said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com. M O R E N E W S F R O M
CLICK HERE to go to this story
Rendell to name puppy-mill regulator
The governor also will propose legislative changes, including stiffening the penalties for animal abuse.
By Amy Worden
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - Seeking to end the inhumane treatment of dogs in commercial breeding operations, Gov. Rendell is expected to announce
today the appointment a career state prosecutor to lead the embattled office charged with regulating 2,500 kennels across the state.
Jessie Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Office of Attorney General and a former board member of the Harrisburg Humane Society, has been
named special deputy secretary of the Bureau of Dog Law, according to administration sources.
Rendell, who pledged in March to take action to improve conditions in the state's "puppy mills," also is expected to announce the
appointment of Jeffrey Paladina, a former assistant district attorney, as special prosecutor for dog law enforcement and the establishment of
a four-member enforcement team that will be dispatched to problem kennels.
"This is the first step toward a long-term solution to the puppy-mill problem in Pennsylvania," said Bob Baker, an ASPCA consultant who
served on a working group that made recommendations to Rendell early this year. "This sends a strong message to breeders to straighten
up or there will be action."
Animal welfare groups say the bureau has been unable to stop the worst offenders because it had rarely used its power to suspend or
revoke kennel licenses. "The excuse it gave was that it didn't have an attorney to handle that," Baker said.
Rendell also is expected to announce the 16 new members of the Dog Law Advisory board, which is expected to meet next month to
consider regulatory changes to the dog law. Last spring Rendell fired the entire board, saying it had not been "proactive" enough.
Smith, former chief of torts litigation in the Attorney General's Office, will serve as liaison between the bureau, which is part of the
Department of Agriculture, and the Governor's Office, animal welfare groups, and breeders. Paladina most recently served as assistant
district attorney in Beaver County.
Rendell also is to present a package of proposed legislative changes, including stiffening the criminal penalties for animal abuse, requiring
revoking the kennel licenses of convicted of cruelty, and giving the bureau authority to issue civil penalties for dog law violations.
There are 216 breeding operations that each have more than 250 dogs in Pennsylvania, a number that has increased during the last 25
years. Conditions in the breeding facilities, which supply pet stores in the Northeast, have been the focus of national animal welfare groups
for years.
Many young dogs produced in puppy mills and sold to unwitting consumers have been found to have genetic conditions and fatal diseases.
Many of the breeding dogs spend their lives without socialization, crammed in wire cages stacked on top of one another.
An ASPCA undercover investigation last spring found almost all of the 17 kennels visited in Lancaster, Chester and Berks Counties had dog
law violations, such as dogs living in undersized cages, feces-coated pens, dogs with badly matted coats, and dogs suffering from eye
diseases, Baker said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com. M O R E N E W S F R O M
CLICK HERE to go to this story
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 17, 2006 GOVERNOR RENDELL ACTS TO STRENGTHEN STATE DOG LAW; PROTECT ANIMALS, CONSUMERS RENDELL APPOINTS DOG LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM, NAMES NEW ADVISORY BOARD WEST CHESTER — Governor Edward G. Rendell today proposed sweeping changes to the state’s dog law and related state regulations that are designed to improve the conditions under which dogs are bred and sold in Pennsylvania. “We are taking strong steps to protect consumers, reputable breeders and kennels, and the defenseless animals whose health and welfare is at the heart of this important issue,” Governor Rendell said. To oversee the state’s effort, the Governor named Jessie Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement in the Department of Agriculture. Smith, who owns four dogs, will serve as dog law enforcement liaison with municipalities, courts, law enforcement, dog welfare organizations, veterinarians, kennel licensees, constituent groups and the general public. Additionally, Smith has served as president of the board of directors for the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area since 2003. She has also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Dickinson Law School and as a Dauphin County arbitrator. Additionally, the Governor named Jeffrey Paladina, who most recently served as the assistant district attorney in Beaver County, as special prosecutor for dog law enforcement, one of six new positions in the Agriculture’s Department’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, who will work to make sure current laws are being enforced. Governor Rendell also created a special enforcement team comprised of four kennel compliance specialists, who will be dispatched throughout the state to enforce the kennel provisions of the dog law. Governor Rendell also announced the appointment of a special team to improve enforcement of Pennsylvania’s dog law and also named 16 individuals to the state’s Dog Law Advisory Board. The advisory board members represent various categories of organizations that are mandated in law. The key components of Governor Rendell’s legislative proposal would: * Strengthen criminal penalties related to the dog law and cruelty statutes; * Provide the Bureau with the authority to issue civil penalties for violations of the dog law subject to administrative hearing for both licensed and unlicensed kennels; * Allow the Bureau’s special prosecutor to represent dog wardens in court with the approval of the local district attorney, just as Humane Societies can currently seek such approval for private representation; * Allow dog wardens to seize dogs in distress; * Require owners to pay for the care of dogs during pending cruelty cases, or forfeit ownership of the dogs; * Require kennel owners to post a surety bond prior to receiving a license. When dogs are seized from unlicensed kennels, those kennels must post a surety bond prior to launching any appeal or other legal action; and * Require that the Secretary of Agriculture revoke a kennel license from any kennel owner who is convicted of cruelty and shall not issue a kennel license to any person that has been convicted of cruelty in the past 10 years. Governor Rendell’s proposed regulatory changes include: * Doubling cage sizes in all kennels with the exception of humane societies. This is widely viewed as a significant step to improve conditions in Pennsylvania’s breeding facilities. Humane societies would be exempted because they provide only temporary shelter; * Requiring that all dogs housed in kennels be exercised for 20 minutes per day; * Creating more specific requirements for indoor and outdoor kennel facilities in order to detail numerous health, safety and welfare issues that must be considered in both instances. Currently, there are no separate regulations for outdoor facilities; * Establishing more detailed specifications so that indoor and outdoor facilities provide dogs with proper shelter, temperature control, ventilation, air movement, lighting, bedding, sanitation, slope of ground and run and footing materials; and * Creating more detailed record keeping requirements for kennel owners. Appointed to the new Dog Law Advisory Board, were: * Dr. Ilana Reisner – director, Behavior Clinic, University of Pennsylvania * Dr. Charles Newton – School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania * Nancy Gardner – president, Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter * Sue West – director at large, Humane League of Lancaster County * Ms. Douglas Newbold – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau * Larry Breech – PA Farmers Union * Kristina Watson – PA Farm Bureau * Mary Remer – first vice president, Bull Terrier Club of America * Linda Lowney – Town and Country Kennel Inc. * Kim Kraemer – district manager, Pet Smart * Harold Stoneberger – owner, Central Penn Hunting Clays * Cynthia Miller – American Kennel Club * Janet Mawhinney PA Sheep & Wool Growers Association * John Weinstein – Allegheny County Treasurer * John Gibble – president, NE Beagle Gundog Federation * Capt. Kenny O’Brien – K-9 Unit, Philadelphia Police Department “These appointments are intended to give the board a fresh start and new direction,” Governor Rendell said. “When I announced my intention to remake this board, I received applications from many qualified individuals – and I wish to thank each of them for their interest.” Advisory board meetings will continue to be open to the public for all to attend and participate, as has been the case in the past. The board will meet, at minimum, on a quarterly basis. The terms of the membership will be staggered and limited to two-consecutive terms. Smith will serve as the Secretary of Agriculture’s designee at board meetings. Governor Rendell also announced that the first board meeting will be scheduled next month for the purpose of reviewing his proposed regulatory changes to the dog law. This meeting will be held prior to the publication of the proposed regulations in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, so that board members and the interested public will have a chance to review the proposed changes before the extended 60-day public comment period beings. All public comments must be responded to in writing, and changes can be made based on comments received. “This is just the beginning of our efforts to strengthen the dog law,” Governor Rendell said. “I encourage the public to play an active role in this important and ongoing process.” |
Hello, Everyone -- Have you heard? There has been a raid at a Lancaster County, PA puppy mill? The raid occurred on December 21 (just made the headlines in the Local News Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer today). The paper states it is the first major effort to crack down on PA's puppy mills. More than 100 dogs were examined by a veterinarian from the Humane League of Lancaster County. They seized 23 of the sickest dogs (Pugs, Yorkies, Dachshunds and Boxers, both adults and pups). Of the 23, one sick puppy did not survive. Charges are pending against the owner of Long Lane Kennel in Narvon. He is Joseph Blank. Thankfully, Blank had the decency to relinquish ownership of the seized dogs to the Humane League. He was previously cited for violations in March. The Bureau of Dog Enforcement had begun the process of revoking Blank's kennel license prior to this incident. Prosecutors in the Attorney General's Office also met yesterday to discuss ongoing allegations involving CC Pets LLC in Peach Bottom (formerly Puppy Love). Last year the kennel's owners, Raymond and Joyce Stoltzfus were fined $75,000.00 to settle a lawsuit alleging they sold 171 sick and diseased puppies to customers in 7 states. The new investigation is the result of at least 4 recent complaints that puppies purchased from the Stoltzfuses died within 24 hours of purchase, which, if substantiated, would put them in violation of the agreement they made when they settled the previous lawsuit, to provide purchasers with a health certificate showing that a veterinary examination had taken place within 15 days of purchase. Admittedly, this is just a small step (there are 2,440 licensed kennels statewide). But a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Let's just hope that Governor Rendell really is going to keep his promises to clean up the inhumane conditions and horrific cruelty that is being perpetuated against these innocent babies in PA's puppy mills. Please pray for all the ones left behind. Thank you and God Bless. |
HARRISBURG -- A Lancaster County kennel owner has been charged with violating the state's dog law after officials seized 23 sick and starving dogs, including one that later died. The eight violations, all related to conditions at the kennel, were discovered during a Dec. 21 inspection of Long Lane Kennel in the rural town of Narvon, said Chris Ryder, spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture, which oversees kennels. "The citations are all regarding kennel conditions such as [whether there is] adequate food and water, shelter, cage sizes and sanitary living conditions for the dogs," he said yesterday. With a license to sell more than 250 dogs a year, Long Lane is one of the county's largest. Now it could be forced to close, Mr. Ryder said. Kennel owner Joseph Blank, who also could face fines and jail time on the misdemeanor violations, couldn't be reached yesterday. Some observers said the charges could be an indication that the state is making good on Gov. Ed Rendell's promise last year to crack down on so-called "puppy mills," large commercial kennels known for unsanitary conditions, undersized cages and inbred puppies. Pressured by animal welfare groups, Mr. Rendell recently replaced all 14 members of the state Dog Law Advisory Board and hired a special deputy secretary to oversee enforcement. Mr. Rendell said he made the changes to help Pennsylvania shake its unwanted reputation as the "puppy mill capital of the East Coast." Mr. Rendell, a pet lover who has two dogs of his own, was encouraged by the action in Lancaster County. "The governor's efforts to ramp up patrol and enforcement of laws and regulations aimed at protecting puppies from abusive breeders are paying off, as evidenced by recent crackdowns across the state," said Rendell press secretary Kate Philips. Other changes, including new regulations, are on the way, but not all are welcome, say some small kennel owners, including Nina Schaefer, president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs. Mrs. Schaefer, of Huntingdon Valley, is asking her members to object. Substandard kennel conditions should not be tolerated, but many of the proposed regulatory changes are unnecessary, she said in a letter to her members Thursday. "Many are impractical, excessively burdensome and costly," while others are unenforceable or will not improve the quality of life for kennel dogs, she wrote. The proposed amendments would require, for example, separate indoor and outdoor kennel facilities, ventilation systems and better lighting. They establish more specific requirements for food, water, bedding, sanitation and record-keeping. Pennsylvania has 2,440 licensed kennels, including 300 in Lancaster County. |
| If you are running a decent facility the laws can only help... |
February 2, 2007
Speak out for better treatment of dogs
in Pennsylvania puppy mills
Dear DIANE,
Pennsylvania is known by many as the
"puppy mill capital of the East." And for
years Pennsylvania residents have
called upon their legislators and
regulators to clean up the cruel puppy
mills that brutalize dogs and tarnish the
state's image.
Last December, changes were
suggested to improve the outdated
kennel regulations used to inspect
commercial breeding operations in
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians are now
able to shape the future of puppy mills
in PA by sharing their thoughts on
those suggested improvements. The
comment period closes March 16.
Make sure your voice is heard in
support of better treatment for dogs in
puppy mills.
If the proposed regulations are
approved, dogs in Pennsylvania puppy
mills will be provided with more space,
will have better protection from the
elements and will have time outside of
their cages for exercise.
Please mail or fax your comments in
support of these new regulations
today. (Emails are not accepted.) Your
letter need not be long or overly
detailed but should voice support for
the new, more humane regulations.
You can also note your support for the
detailed comments submitted by The
Humane Society of the United States.
For more details on the regulations
click here.
Comments can be submitted to:
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Attn: Mary Bender
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
Fax: 717-772-4352 Please copy the
Independent Regulatory Review
Commission on your letter at:
Arthur Coccodrilli, Chairman
Independent Regulatory Review
Commission
333 Market Street, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Fax: 717-783-2664
You can also send a copy of your
letter to your state Senator and
Representative. Click here to look up
your state legislators names and
contact information.
Please be sure to send in your
comments in time to meet the March
16 deadline. You can also share this
email with your friends and family in
Pennsylvania and let them know how
they can get involved.
Thank you for helping the tens of
thousands of dogs who suffer in
Pennsylvania puppy mills.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
Humane Society of the United