Just in on Almost Heaven Kennels and "Skippy"

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/breaking/all-derbe-fined-0707cn,0,3...


Hefty fines and new charges against kennel owner

2:48 PM EDT, July 7, 2009

The owner of the former Almost Heaven Kennel has been fined $152,900 by the state and is facing more than 200 new charges stemming from the raid and closure of the operation last month.

The state Department of Agriculture says it has fined Derbe "Skip" Eckhart for each dog that he kept at the kennel at 4202 Chestnut St. in Upper Milford Township after he exhausted appeals of his 2009 kennel license denial.

Chris Ryder, an agriculture department spokesman, said the department fined Eckhart $100 a day for seven days for all 216 dogs that should have been removed between June 16 and June 23.

In addition, the department fined Eckhart $100 for each of 17 dogs that it says were transferred out of the kennel after June 6 without the state's approval.

Related links

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Dogs seized from Almost Heaven recooperate in Harrisburg Photos
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Almost Heaven dogs at Pa. State Farm Complex in Harrisburg Video
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250 dogs removed from the Almost Heaven kennel Video

Eckhart was charged this week with 216 counts of violating the state dog law because he failed to remove 216 dogs from the kennel after the his appeal period ended, according to a complaint filed at District Court in Emmaus.

He faces an additional 17 counts of violating a cease and desist order by transferring 17 dogs out of the kennel without approval of the state.

Under the terms of his license denial, Eckhart was not allowed to transfer animals without approval of a dog warden.

Eckhart has 30 days to pay the fine, but also has 15 days to appeal the penalty.

-- Reporting by Patrick Lester, The Morning Call

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If only they could put him in prison, the news would be better!

[Karen & Lucy]

This jerk needs more than just hefty fines, HE NEEDS JAIL TIME as well. What is going to keep him from going into other states????????????? ERRRRRRRR

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Unfortunately, nothing.......There is no federal law in place that keeps convicted animal abusers who are breeding dogs from relocating to another state and starting all over again....and the USDA does not oversee any state offices of their organization.....licences are handled and awarded on a state by state basis.....There is absolutely nothing we can do about it except keep petitioning for federal dog laws with federally imposed penalties.........

[Adrianne Matzkin]

how can we as a community, help with that?

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

moniter and watch Skip Eckhardt like hawks.....Believe me,....If he attempts to make a move we will know about it before it even happens.....

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

All we can do is keep talking about it and keep it in the forefront of everyone's minds. Remember, this is just one animal who runs this puppy mill, there are many others and all their accomplices.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Actually you can support The HSUS Legislative Fund...(they also have a Facebook page set up and you can 'friend" them to be kept in the loop)......They are actively lobbying for this cause.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And the AKC keeps fighting against any legislation that would regulate the puppy mills, because they will lose all that money they get for registering the "purebred" puppy mill dogs, so the pet stores can show people their "papers" and advertise them as "AKC registered purebreds."
We need to get the word out by any means we can- "Don't buy puppies from a pet store." Dry up their market. Money is what they understand best.

[Liz Syring]

Am I correct to assume this "person" has moved out his breeding stock of 17 dogs (like a living shell game) in order to re-procreate his next business venture, I guess the poor dogs are his "investment" in his next business enterprise. I still don't understand how any judge/ dog warden could allow this man to keep ANY unneutered animal. What's wrong with this picture?

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Unfortunately Liz, that is the law in PA......

[Liz Syring]

Hey Jacquie,
Do you know if they teach spelling and grammer in the public schools of Leighton PA?

[Jeannine]

You are literally correct Liz. I believe "this person and all his pairs" should not have the right to keep ANY animals at all.

[Liz Syring]

I think he also has some bizarre hypnotic effect on some women, who can buy into his twisted logic. Sounds like a sociopathic personality.