FINALLY!!!!!!-SKIPPY PLEADS GUILTY TO ALMOST HEAVEN ATROCITIES!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

THIS JUST IN FROM JODI GOLDBERG AT THE PSPCA!

09-22-09 -- Troubled Kennel Owner Enters Guilty Plea
By: Patrick Lester, The Morning Call


Former dog kennel owner Derbe "Skip" Eckhart pleaded guilty today in Lehigh County Court to animal cruelty and multiple dog law violations, crimes that could put him behind bars for up to three years.

Eckhart, who operated Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township before it was shut down in June, also faces fines of up to $7,500 under a plea agreement reached with the Lehigh County District Attorney's office.

Eckhart pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty, three counts of violating a cease and desist order and failing to remove 216 dogs from the kennel after the period to appeal his denied operating license expired.

Prosecutor Jay Jenkins said that under the agreement, Eckhart does not intend to be involved in any other kennel, but would like to keep some of his personal animals and continue working as a groomer at a Fogelsville business.

It will be up to Judge Robert L. Steinberg to decide whether Eckhart can keep those animals and work as a groomer during sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Steinberg told Eckhart he could be sentenced to 18 months to three years in prison.

POSTED: 09-22-2009 04:20 PM ET | MODIFIED: 09-22-2009 05:38 PM ET
Owner Of Former Kennel Admits To Animal Cruelty

The owner of a kennel closed by authorities during a raid in June has pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to animals and several violations of the state's dog law. Derbe Eckhart, who operated the Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, will be sentenced on November 16.

A judge has also ordered Eckhart to undergo a psychological evaluation at his expense. The charges actually stem from a raid on the Almost Heaven Kennel in October, 2008, according to officials with the District Attorney's office. They say the state dog law violations are subsequent charges from earlier this year when Eckhart continued to have an excess number of dogs on his property after his license renewal was denied.

Last month, Eckhart waived his right to a preliminary hearing on more than 200 counts of violating the state dog law that stem from the raid in June. He was also fined $152,900. More than 200 dogs were seized during the raid. They were later put up for adoption at various shelters around the state.


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[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

2 counts of cruelty, 3 counts of violating cease and desist orders and he wants to keep his job as a groomer ...who in their right mind would want him grooming their dogs, and who in their right mind would allow him to keep any animals? Who in their right mind wouldn't throw the book at him by now...and you call yourselves saviours...what did you accomplish. This is not justice for animals...give him the three years, fines out his blow hole...and never allow him to have another animals as long as he lives is what he deserves....

[Linny]

Thank goodness an end to this sad saga is almost in sight. I hope that the judge sees this monster should never be let near animals again.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

One nasty puppy mill bites the dust...who's next.

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

Thank God! I hope they throw the book at him!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

He should get 1 year for every dog they pulled!! That would make sure he not be involved in any other kennel!!
Well, I could dream, can't I???

[Chris & Boys]

Woohoo! Its a good start!

[Jodi Edsall]

We bought Bailey, 2 1/2 years ago at Almost Heaven Kennel. After finding out about this place we feel that we rescued Bailey from this hell, although we paid $1,200 for her. She was from a litter of 13 and I often think of what had happened to the others.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Jodi, Bailey is a beautiful dog!......My doodle Blake is also from Almost Heaven but I adopted him from Middletown Humane via Pike County Humane in Milford PA in August 2007........Like Bailey he is a beautiful well adjusted dog with an incredible personality inspite of his origins....When I adopted him, his name was Michael....lol...and he was emaciated at 18 lbs. had every worm under the sun, giardia, coccidia and a severe case of sarcoptic mange......I will never forget the words spoken to me by the shelter Director when I asked where he had come from....She would not tell me the name of the breeder and said only " An Amish mill in PA it's a horrible, filthy place with too many dogs"....As I signed the paperwork I mentioned how sweet Michael was. Her reply was ... "I don't know what that guy does to these dogs but everyone of them is sweet as can be.." That really stuck in my head....."THAT GUY"....hmmmmm......So I started making inquiries....I later found out through my "rescue friendship" with the shelter manager at Pike County that Blake had indeed come from Almost Heaven.....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Jodi....Had you not known that AH was a notorious puppy mill when you bought Bailey?.....I'm just curious...I would think it would have been a well known fact in Lehighton although Skip is a master manipulator who actually had members of the community supporting him.....

[Jodi Edsall]

I live in Beltzville area and originally not from Lehighton. It was only when we bought Bailey people would come up to us when we were out to pet Bailey and they would ask were did we get her and when I would say Almost Heaven people would make a face or say something negative. So, I came home and googled Almost Heaven and all these articles of abuse came up and I also dug up a lot of charged about Skip from over 20 years agao. I felt like an IDIOT. I loved Bailey but really felt like a fool to have paid Skip $1200. I felt like we supported this ass in his business of abusing animals. When I am asked now where I got Bailey I just say an out-of-town breeder.

I had many conversations with Skip on the phone before we came down to Almost Heaven to pick her up and her was very knowledgeable and nice on the phone. Like I said I just felt like an idiot now that I know the truth about Almost Heaven. I can only hope that Bailey's mom and siblings got a good home.

[BetteB]

Great news! Thanks for the update.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He only gets up to $7,500? Or is that on top of the $152,900??? And maybe he could keep his own current pets - neutered, of course but banned from ever, ever getting another animal.
As for keeping his job as a groomer - not on your life! He should not be allowed to expose himself to dogs/dog owners anywhere - just like a child molester, he needs to stay away from places that people with dogs gather!