ALMOST HEAVEN-WEEPING KENNEL OWNER HAULED OFF TO JAIL

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Ex-Kennel Owner Sentenced; Bail Revoked

Derbe Eckhart: "I'm A Broken Man."

Matt Roth | Web Producer

Posted: 11:49 am EDT May 18, 2010Updated: 12:19 pm EDT May 18, 2010

 

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A former kennel owner convicted of animal cruelty is now in jail.

A judge today revoked Derbe Eckhart's bail and sentenced him to six to 23 months behind bars.

He'll then serve three years probation.

Eckhart, who owned the Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, broke down in tears on the witness stand as he pleaded with the judge to spare him any time in jail

"I'm a broken man," said Eckhart. "My heart is broken because of the loss of my animals, the loss of my career that I have lived for 25 years."

In March, a jury convicted Eckhart of two counts of animal cruelty and acquitted him of four other counts.

Prosecutors said Eckhart neglected hundreds of animals and kept them in deplorable conditions.

Eckhart's lawyers have said Eckhart had good intentions, but got in over his head.

"I took on too much," said Eckhart.

Eckhart is appealing his conviction.

 

 

Weeping kennel owner hauled off to jail

 

Derbe "Skip" Eckhart, the former dog kennel owner convicted of animal cruelty charges in March, was hauled off to jail this morning.

Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg sentenced Eckhart to six months to 23 months in Lehigh County Prison.

He was also ordered to serve three years of probation following his jail sentence and was ordered not to own or possess any animals, besides the pets he already has, for the next four years and 11 months.

Weeping, Eckhart begged Steinberg not to send him to jail.

"Please do not incarcerate me, you're honor," he said, breathing heavily and wiping his eyes. "I have learned my lesson. My business is gone. My way of life is gone."

Eckhart told the judge he's saved thousands of homeless dogs and his main problem was never turning one away.

"I know I let my love of animals get out of control and I took on too many animals," he said.

Steinberg said Eckhart does have some redeeming qualities, but has continued to violate animal laws even following a jail term in 1988 for cruelty to animals and subsequent convictions.

A jury found Eckhart guilty of give misdemeanor crimes: two animal-cruelty counts and three counts of violating a cease and desist order that barred him from taking new dogs into his Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township.

Steinberg found Eckhart guilty of more than a dozen summary offenses, most of which were related to kennel upkeep

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I only pray that this will be the end of the cruelty this man has committed against helpless animals.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

I only hope that this story will be repeated over and over with other puppy mill owners/operators.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Mickey asked me to post this for him.His paws don't type so well!

"Thank G-d!!" for having Autie Jacque email my GrandMaDoodle to see if she could foster me. Who knew that from the disgusting life I started with could possibly turn out so incredibly wonderful! My Doodle Mom and Dad treat me like a Prince and I love them so much. I have Samantha and Charli to play with when we visit my GrandDoodleParents. I am one lucky Doodle!

If Skip had his way, I would have wound up in a Pet Store and who knows who would have bought me!
Auntie Jacquie - I love you and THANK YOU from the bottom of my Doodle heart and so does the rest of my family! I also want to thank the Directors and all the volunteers who do so much for so many Doodles and without them so many would be living a terrible life!!

This is a picture of my when I first got home to my DoodleGrandMa's house last July and me just 3 months later! What a difference, huh? You should see what a handsome Doodle I am now!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

MICKEY, ROCKY AND THEIR TWO BROTHERS -PICS AFTER BEING PULLED FROM ALMOST HEAVEN

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

These poor little guys were so sick.....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

[Leslie and Halas]

"Please do not incarcerate me." "My way of life is gone." I'm sure most of the dogs and puppies he kept and abused felt the same way. I'm glad he got jail time. I just wish it was more.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Once again (ok add nauseum because I'm sure everyone is sick of seeing the pics..lol) I am posting pics of my little Almost Heaven survivor.......He has turned out to be the most amazing dog inspite of his origins.....

[Leslie and Halas]

Blake has an amazing way of life now. Living well is the best revenge.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

He truly is my little rescue angel......I can't even remember what my life was like before I had him and I don't know what I would do without him. He's the only son I'll ever have. He saved me...lol

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I had never seen these pictures. This is truly amazing. Thank goodness at least this one puppy mill is no longer torturing dogs like Blake. He looks so happy and healthy now...and incredibly handsome. The work you did with Blake and the work that you're doing to save other dogs from this "hellish life" is inspiring. It sounds like Eckhart will be living in his own personal hell, at least for a while.