Posted: July 26, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture revoked the license of a Chester County kennel owner after a recent raid that led to multiple charges of animal cruelty and the seizure of 23 dogs.
Amish farmer John Blank, the owner of Limestone Kennel, will be given 60 days to sell or transfer enough dogs to no longer be considered a commercial kennel, according to the state agency. Any kennel housing more than 25 dogs is required to be licensed and inspected.
Blank could not be reached for comment. He faces three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and 23 summary charges.
As of July 24, a new 24-hour hotline (877-DOG-TIP1) is available for the public to report problems in kennels, said Jessie Smith, the state’s special deputy secretary of dog law enforcement.
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is caring for the nine dogs and 14 puppies.