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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A Philadelphia woman, whose illegal kennel was the subject of a raid last month, has been charged with failing to provide vet care and for poor sanitation.

Wendy Willard, owner of Murder Hollow Bassets in Roxborough, was issued 22 citations during a follow up inspection on Friday, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Willard, who competed her hounds at prestigious sporting dog events around Philadelphia and in Virginia's fox hunting region, surrendered 11 dogs to humane officers on July 27. The officers found filthy kennel conditions and dogs covered in feces and infested with parasites, the PSPCA said. The agency removed the animals because there were 23 dogs on the property, 11 more than are allowed under the city's animal ordinance.

Willard was given two weeks to make improvements and get vet care for the remaining animals, but the PSPCA said in press release that when the officers returned last week "overall living conditions remained poor."

Willard was issued 11 citations for unsanitary conditions, 11 citations for lack of veterinary care and two tickets for barking. Graphic photos of the dogs detailing their condition and their housing have been turned over to the district attorney’s office. Efforts to reach Willard were unsuccessful.

Agents first went to the property on July 21 in response to neighbor complaints about noise and order. When they found no one at home they left a card telling the owner to contact them. When Willard failed to contact them, they returned on July 27 to inspect the property. Willard refused and threw stones at the officers' vehicles as they left, said George Bengal, the PSPCA director of law enforcement. They returned later that day with a warrant to search the property.

The dogs were turned over to Basset hound rescue groups, the PSPCA said.


 

Posted by Amy Worden @ 1:35 PM  Permalink | 11 comments
Comments   
Posted 02:29 PM, 08/11/2009
benw
"thew stones at the officer' vehicles as they left"... sounds like an intelligent woman right there.. sheesh.
Posted 02:56 PM, 08/11/2009
Wassup!
The dog laws need to have more teeth. Violations of this magnitude should qualify for immediate suspension of license for 2-3 years with monthly checks for compliance. Second offense, permanent loss of license and if caught keeping and breeding animals mandatory jail time. This woman should not be allowed to have 11 dogs. Period. These 11 animals are just as worthy as those removed due to the maximum limit. I would hope that she has more skills than watching dogs breed.
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Posted 04:42 PM, 08/11/2009
jacksplat
Need stronger dog laws. AND more inforcement like this. Take away ALL of her animals and fine as much as the law allows. And, yes...please take a look around those Amish who have puppy mills. They have been getting away with abuse for far too long.
Posted 05:03 PM, 08/11/2009
Wassup!
I agree that some people have absolutely no tolerance with barking dogs. I was that way once until my neighbor got a Rotweiller puppy. A year later, Caesar is all grown up and I've enjoyed having him next door. First, he's gotten used to seeing me coming and going, and he barely raises his head when he sees me. Secondly, my neighbor is considerate enough to put the dog inside by 11:00 pm, my bedtime. Thirdly, Caesar barks when people loiter on the sidewalk in front of my house which I appreciate. I have a watchdog without actually owning a dog. Lastly, Caesar is a big puppy and occasionally slips his collar and comes over when I'm outside and rolls around playfully in the grass. In summary, I was once intolerant towards other people's dogs, but I am now reformed. I may even get one after I retire.
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Posted 12:27 PM, 08/12/2009
flagday
When Virginia's father said (concerning Santa) if you see it in the Sun it must be true, maybe newspapers were not biased. This is one side of a story, which has been released and embellished by the Pa Spca 3 times. The last line of the article is problematic because dozens of well meaning basset lovers are trying to locate these dogs with no success. One of the long term questions here is whether a non profit corp dependent on donations should have a law enforcement cotract with the city. I think it truly corrupts the system as various special interests weigh in and the spca scrambles to satisfy these various constituencies. Let's just pray that all the dogs are safe.
Posted 10:42 AM, 08/18/2009
loves animals
But where are the hounds now? Why hasn't the PSPCA returned phone calls? Again, three of the hounds were not hers. Please help us bring Anxious, Harlem and Sappho home!
Posted 07:03 AM, 09/03/2009
flagday
and suddenly comments dissappear?
11 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. Today Amy lives on an apple orchard near Gettysburg with her husband and a feline menagerie. A search is underway for the right “dawg” and they hope the barnyard will soon house endangered geese and other animals.