The owner of Limestone Kennel in Cochranville, Chester County, USA, pleaded guilty today to eight counts of animal cruelty and two violations of the Dog Law. John Blank’s kennel license has been permanently revoked and he surrendered nearly 75 dogs to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

The plea comes as a result of investigations by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and the Pennsylvania SPCA last week. Blank will be on probation for two years, during which time dog wardens will make sure he owns no more than five personal dogs.

“As a result of today’s actions, the dogs from this commercial breeding kennel will be cared for and put up for adoption to homes. This is the best possible outcome for the dogs,” said Wolff. “While the results are positive for these dogs, the case shows the need for better laws to protect all dogs in commercial breeding kennels.”

Wolff said all dogs in commercial breeding kennels would be better protected with passage of House Bill 2525, currently in the House Appropriations Committee.

Introduced in May, H.B. 2525 would strengthen current dog laws and provide better standards for the health and safety of dogs in commercial breeding kennels without affecting other types of kennels that house dogs.

“Raising the minimum standards for commercial breeding kennels and requiring annual veterinary checks would benefit all dogs in these types of settings,” said Wolff. “Current law does not require that dogs ever receive routine medical care and as a result, many go without.”

The bill would require veterinary examinations for each dog at least once per year or during each pregnancy.

Among other protections for dogs, H.B. 2525 doubles the minimum floor space for dogs, eliminates wire flooring, and requires access to an outdoor exercise area twice the size of the dog’s primary enclosure. Current law does not require dogs ever be taken out of cages, much less given access to exercise areas.

Current law treats all kennels the same, regardless of size or function. The proposed legislation would allow the health and welfare needs of the dogs housed in large commercial breeding kennels to be addressed.

Requirements are virtually unchanged for other types of kennels, like sporting and hobby dog kennels, because they do not operate with the purpose of breeding large quantities of dogs to sell for profit. Instead, they operate for the purpose of sporting, hobby, boarding or finding homes for dogs.

The proposed legislation is a result of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s effort to improve living conditions for dogs in Pennsylvania kennels.

Since 2006, Governor Rendell has made improvements to the staffing and enforcement efforts of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which oversees the inspection and licensing of kennels.

For more information on the proposed legislation overhauling Pennsylvania’s Dog Law, visit www.DogLawAction.com

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K9 Magazine would, again, like to offer our praise from across the Atlantic to Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania dog law team in their ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare standards across the state. A concerted effort and an unswerving commitment to animal welfare is a highly commendable campaign.

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