Pennsylvania Kennel Operator Faces Trial Over New Dog Law
Derbe Eckhart, owner of Almost Heaven kennel in Lehigh County, Pa., in May was ordered by a Lehigh County District Justice to stand trial on charges of violating terms of his Feb. 6 kennel license refusal, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The license refusal barred Eckhart from operating a boarding kennel, among other restrictions, but Eckhart was found to be boarding dogs on Feb. 11 when state dog wardens inspected the kennel.
Violations after a license has been refused are third degree misdemeanors under the new Pennsylvania Dog Law, signed into law by Gov. Edward G. Rendell in October 2008.
“Previous versions of the Dog Law allowed kennel owners to operate for extended periods of time, even after having their kennel license revoked or refused,” said Jessie Smith, the state’s special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. “The new law prohibits kennels in that situation from obtaining new dogs, breeding or boarding, so that they cannot operate as usual during a lengthy appeals process.”
The new law also doubles the minimum floor space for dogs, eliminates wire flooring and requires access to an exercise area at least twice the size of the primary enclosure.
The law also requires veterinary examinations for each dog twice per year.
The health and welfare standards take effect in October. [July 2009 PET AGE]
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