Four months after a kennel inspection in Pennsylvania turned up two dozen dead dogs, the property owner has pled guilty to multiple cruelty and dog law violations, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reported. In recent months, several other Pennsylvania kennel operators pled guilty to various violations amid a crackdown by the state in the past year.
Lore Massey, the owner of Calico Creek Critters Kennel in Centerville, Pa., was fined $1,250 on Wednesday, March 5. Additionally, state dog wardens will pay unannounced visits to her residence over the next two years to ensure she is in possession of no more than three dogs.
According to the state, a search of Calico Creek by state dog wardens and humane officials Nov. 6 yielded 20 to 30 dead dogs while more than 70 others lived in the house. Massey also did not have a license to operate a kennel, a requirement for any kennel with more than 26 dogs per year.
"Animal hoarding situations can be difficult to investigate, because the owners are often in denial about the severity of the conditions or the presence of cruelty," said Jessie Smith, the state's special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. "It is promising that our wardens will be able to make regular checks to see that the number of animals at this house remains at a manageable level and to avoid unacceptable living conditions.
Massey reportedly pled guilty to three counts of animal cruelty and five dog law charges.