Emmaus dog breeder fined more than $150,000
EMMAUS, Pa. - An Eastern Pennsylvania dog breeder has been fined more than $150,000 and faces more than 230 charges for allegedly violating state dog laws.
Derbe Eckhart has 15 days to appeal the $152,900 fine from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The fine and charges stem from a raid on the Almost Heaven Kennel in Emmaus last month.
Department of Agriculture spokesman Chris Ryder said Eckhart failed to get rid of 216 dogs after he lost his kennel license, and failed to get approval to transfer 17 dogs.
Almost Heaven was also raided in October 2008. Animal welfare officials say hundreds of animals were living in filthy conditions. Eckhart faces animal-cruelty charges stemming from that raid.
A phone number for Eckhart could not immediately be found yesterday. - AP
