Steve Earnest of Millerstown, Perry County in Pennsylvania, recently pled guilty to three counts of kennel violations, according to the state’s Bureau of Dog Enforcement. During a July inspection “wardens found 45 dogs without rabies vaccinations living in unsatisfactory kennel conditions” at Earnest’s unlicensed facility, according to the state.
Several weeks later, wardens returned and reported more violations, including a dead dog, at which time Earnest surrendered his animals to the local Humane Society.
In addition, Elton Horning of Penn’s Creek Kennel in Middleburg, Pa., pled guilty Nov. 29, 2007, to charges of failure to keep a sanitary and humane facility. This week his license was revoked.
Last month, Pennsylvania authorities raided two other kennels, finding dead dogs on one property and dogs with matted fur and open sores on another. Charges were filed in both cases.
In August a special prosecutor was given the power to represent dog wardens in district court as part of Governor Edward Rendell’s ongoing effort to enforce dog laws and regulations in the state.