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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

90 dogs removed from illegal kennel

When humane agents arrived at the suburban Lancaster home of a well-known Chow-Chow breeder yesterday they found 90 dogs kept in horrendous conditions, crammed in filthy crates surrounded by trash that filled every space. They found emaciated dogs, badly matted dogs and dogs writhing in pain from badly broken legs. They even found the decomposing bodies of two dead dogs.

And then, amid it all there were some well-groomed dogs that looked like they were ready for the show ring.

"The place was swimming in dogs," said Kerry Flanagan, vice president of operations for The Humane League of Lancaster County. "Some had major medical problems and some were beautiful."

Flanagan said neighbors had complained for months about conditions and noise at the house belonging to Teri Palmer-Roby, who ran Pendragwn Chow Chow kennel and rescue. The state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement arrived yesterday to investigate and after being refused entry, obtained a warrant to search the premises.

Humane League staff said they could barely navigate the maze of crates and junk throughout the house and garage. Flanagan said the thick coats of many of the dogs were severely matted and caked with urine and feces. A number of dogs were in need of medical care and at least one dog, in severe distress with two broken back legs, may have to be euthanized, she said.

Palmer-Roby surrendered the dogs to the Humane League and is facing multiple counts of animal cruelty for the living conditions and failure to get veterinary medical care, Flanagan said. Efforts to reach Palmer Roby were unsuccessful. A Department of Agriculture spokesman said she also will receive citations for dog law violations but the specific charges had not yet been determined.

Palmer-Roby was a fixture on the dog show circuit several years ago and had at least one champion Chow Chow, said Carrie Voorhees of Bear Creek Chows in Tennessee. Voorhees said she had been told by other breeders, who had been to Palmer-Roby's house, that there were "too many dogs in her basement." But she said she was surprised that the situation had deteriorated so badly. "People were aware she had some problems in recent years, but her heart was in the right place." Palmer-Roby's name and contact information also appears on national breed rescue Web sites.

Daisy Okas, vice president of communications for the American Kennel Club, said Palmer-Roby had registered litters with the club in 2003 and 2007. After learning of the conditions of the dogs in Palmer-Roby's care, Okas said her registration privileges will be suspended pending outcome of the case.

Flanagan said individuals who co-owned some of the show quality dogs came to retrieve them. The others will be placed for adoption after undergoing medical screening and treatment.

Information about the dogs and their adoption status will be posted on the league's website, www.humaneleague.com . Donations to care for the Chow Chows and other animals at the Humane League can be made online or by contacting the shelter at (717) 393-6551.
 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 5:46 PM  Permalink | 6 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:52 PM, 05/20/2009
    Superbowless, you are ignorant. This woman was trying to help. Hoarding is a mental illness, and this poor woman got overwhelmed, and the animals suffered. She is suffering too. It is a sad situation all around.
    — keersf
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 05/20/2009
    Your right it is a sad situation, for the dogs that were laying in their own mess. For the dogs with that matted coats. For the dogs with broken bones. They had no choice. Maybe this woman has a mental illness, but to me that don't matter. Why aren't these so called kennels checked on more often. Bigger question is, why did it take so long to check on this place after neighbors had been complaining about it for months? I'm with Superbowless, someone should be shot, I'm just not sure who!
    — Nonno057
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:44 AM, 05/21/2009
    Having lived in Lancaster County for 15 years, the situation does not get any better for the dogs. This county (just this year) approved zoning for yet another puppy mill. "No-Kill" is just a lie, so those dogs will be put down within days. Keersf: "mental illness" is not an excuse. Cultural/Moral relativism ties society's hand behind its back and its legs together. I'm with Superbowless and Nonno. This is coming from a guy who took in a dog off the street and get her checked out, because I know the "Humane" Society is made up with good-natured people without enough funding, and leadership that doesn't care how many dogs and cats they put down. All-around fail on this call, and people need to be held FAR more accountable than they are already.
    — spd017
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:06 PM, 05/21/2009
    Maybe in Philly management doesn't care about how many dogs and cats get put down, but most shelters I have worked with care a lot about finding good homes for the animals they take in. Can they find them all homes? NO! But they do their best with the limited resources they have. And "mental illness" wasn't an excuse, but she certainly doesn't deserve to be shot, as Superbowless suggested. And the dogs aren't being put down, they are going up for adoption or being sent to other organizations. Great you saved a dog off the street, but did you get it fixed and give it a permanent home? That would make a difference.
    — keersf
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:45 PM, 05/21/2009
    This is a really sad story. Lets hope that the dogs get healthy and find good homes; Chows are often difficult to place and they likely have an uphill battle.
    — luckylucychance


6 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. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
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