The state has pulled the plug on two of Pennsylvania's most notorious puppy mill operators.

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff recently upheld the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s decision to deny a 2009 kennel license to Aaron Burkholder of Kutztown and Daniel Esh of Ronks.

The bureau refused the 2009 license applications of both ken kennels in February following a string of inspections revealed appalling conditions at the kennels.

“These kennels are being shut down because they have put profits above the welfare of the dogs,” said Jessie Smith, the state’s special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. “The secretary’s decision to uphold their license refusals will hopefully mean a quick and final resolution to the problems we’ve seen in these kennels.”

Both kennels have until June 16 to appeal the secretary’s decision to the Commonwealth Court, but must follow strict rules - they may not buy or breed dogs - and submit to unannounced inspections during that time. If no appeal is entered within 30 days, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement said it will ensure the kennel is closed and seize any dogs above the 25 allowed without a kennel license.

Burkholder, the owner of Burkholder Farm Kennel, racked up 66 violations of the dog law during 13 inspections in 2008 for lack of maintenance, sanitation, cage size and record keeping. Dog wardens reported small dogs - including visibly shaking Boston Terrier puppies - housed in calf hutches lying on cold, mud floors.

Other dogs were housed in a dilapidated trailer with fan casings attached to the sides that were used for exercise wheels. Wardens reported broken wire in the wheels and wire cage flooring so wide that dogs' legs were falling through. Other inspection reports showed dogs in cages with no water and feedbowls contaminated with dirt, mold and feces.

One warden reported it was so dark in an area of the barn that the only light came from the flash on his camera.

At his hearing, Burkholder's lawyer argued he was unfairly targeted because his kennel was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show on puppy mills which aired last spring. Wolff dismissed the argument, saying the evidence of non-compliance was overwhelming and the bureau had met its burden of proof for revoking the license.

Esh, who owns Scarlet-Maple Farm Kennel, received unsatisfactory inspections in 2007 and 2008 for maintenance, sanitation and the condition of dogs in the kennel. During his last inspection on March 26, Esh had 373 dogs. Esh has a long history of trouble with state and federal authorities. Here's an overview provided by Libby Williams of New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse:

Esh’s kennel was quarantined for a rabies outbreak in 1996; operating illegally (no license) in 1997, sued by the Pennsylvania Attorney General; wholesaling to pet stores without a USDA license, 1997; violating local zoning ordinances, exceeding the number of dogs allowed by Ronks (2003), resulting in a civil suit for violating the enforcement order; fined by the Bureau in 2004 for violating dog law (citations, found guilty); years of USDA violations, surrendered licenses and new applications for licenses, only to be warned of continued, repeat violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Note to aspiring robbers: Don't think the local animal hospital is an easy mark - you never know who their clients might be.

Here's how the Daily News reported a foiled hold up in Philadelphia:

Police said yesterday that an off-duty Philly cop captured a robber seconds after the man held up a Northeast Philadelphia animal hospital last Thursday. Police said Lt. Andrew Napoli was with his dog at the Radball Animal Hospital, on Bustleton Avenue near Tomlinson Road, about 6:15 p.m. when he heard an employee yell, "Help, we are being robbed!"

Napoli, assigned to the Marine Unit, confronted the man and knocked him to the ground. Other officers arrived and arrested David Minarczyk, 46. Police said Minarczyk, of Philmont Avenue, in the Northeast, also robbed a CVS on Bustleton Avenue near Southampton Road three times - on April 25, April 29 and May 20 - and threatened employees with a razor. He was charged with four counts of robbery, aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime and related offenses, police said.

In other animal crime news, Chester County veterinarian Tom Stevenson pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges in Lancaster County Court yesterday. Prosecutors say Stevenson, who operates Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic in Honeybrook, held a nine-week-old puppy under scalding hot water before performing a tail docking procedure with tin snips without anesthesia. Stevenson's medical license was suspended by the state pending the outcome of the trial, expected some time this fall. For the full story in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal click here.

Chalk one up for the Obama administration's new era of transparency.

Beginning today the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to make available its large database of commercial dog kennel inspection reports. That means for the first time the public can easily access details of the conditions inspectors find at all the kennels that sell to pet stores throughout the United States.

The USDA will post inspection reports on its Website (though not yet as of 6:30 a.m.) for thousands of kennels, along with catteries, exotic animal breeding operations and, soon, research facilities. Until now, virtually all of the reports were available only through Freedom of Information Act requests that took months to fulfill.

A USDA spokeswoman told me while the agency had long wanted to put inspection reports online, it was the Obama administration's "new emphasis on transparancy" and the addition of more computer database experts in the agency that finally made it happen. Reports will be posted dating back to 2006.

Bob Baker, an investigator with the ASPCA said the database will help advocates track problem kennels but would offer little for the average dog buyer.

"It could be misleading to consumers if they are relying on it to purchase a dog," he said. "We know USDA does a poor job enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, so a prospective buyer shouldn't interpret a kennel that passes inspection as necessarily being a good kennel."

In most states the USDA is the only enforcement agency regularly inspecting commercial kennels. In Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement inspects all licensed kennels at least twice a year. In 2007, Gov. Rendell ordered that all state inspection reports be posted online.

Here's how to access the federal inspection reports: go to the APHIS homepage at http://www.aphis.usda.gov and click on FOIA Reading Room, in the right-hand portion of the screen. The inspection reports will be available under the Animal Welfare heading in the Reading Room. Choose the type of licensee or registrant you are interested in, and then choose the state. Once you choose the state, you will be able to scroll through the alphabetical list of licensee or registrant names and make your selection.

The USDA regulates more than 5,200 animal breeding, research and exhibit facilities - including more than 200 in Pennsylvania. Inspectors enforce the Animal Welfare Act which provides standards for housing, sanitation, food and water and condition of the animal. Wholesale breeders in Pennsylvania must hold a USDA license and state kennel license and are subject to inspections from both agencies. The amended Pennsylvania dog law enacted last year imposes higher standards than the Animal Welfare Act, including larger cages, a ban on stacking and wire floors, most of which go into effect in October.
 

On this Memorial Day fellow pet blogger John Woestendiek brings us the tale of the unique bond between Lex, the bomb-sniffing German Shepherd, and his Marine partner Dustin Lee who served together in Iraq and the fight to make Lex a part of Lee family. Click here for the full story.

Lex - who won the Purple Heart for his valor - and thousands of other military hero dogs who have served the nation with honor and without recognition over the last century will one day be immortalized at the National War Dogs Memorial in Washington.

With summer upon us, here are a pack of pet survival tips from the the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States:

* Hot cars: Do not leave your pet alone in your car – vehicles heat quickly in the sun, and animals left in them can succumb to heat stroke in a very short time. Heatstroke is life threatening for both dogs and cats. Signs to watch for are: heavy, loud breathing, a staggering gait, and a bright red tongue or gum tissue. If heat stroke is suspected, get the animal to a cool place or wet him down. This is a medical emergency – take him to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Also if you see a dog left in a parked car in extreme temperatures, call the police. It is illegal.
 

* Exercise: Prevent overheating, don’t let your dog exercise in hot weather. If you want to run with your dog, do it in the cool hours of the early morning or late evening.
 

* Shade: Dogs and cats need a cool, shady place to sleep during hot weather, as well as plenty of clean, fresh water, accessible at all times. Feed your dog or cat in the cooler hours of the day. Older animals have a hard time in hot weather, so be extra sensitive to their needs during the hottest hours of the day.
 

* Vaccines: Be sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Parvo virus, an illness that flourishes in hot weather, can be fatal to dogs that have not received their vaccinations. Also, be sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are current. During the summer months, pets often spend more time outdoors, and the chances of encounters with wildlife (possible rabies carriers) increase.
 

* Heartworm hazards: If your dog hasn’t been tested for heartworm this year, see your veterinarian. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, but it can be prevented by administering a monthly preventive between June and November.
 

* Grooming: Daily brushing or combing lets you check for fleas and ticks. Ticks can carry infectious diseases and fleas can cause allergic reactions and hot spots in dogs. Hot spots are large, wet lesions that appear suddenly in areas where the dog has scratched. See your veterinarian for flea and tick preventives or if a hot spot appears.
 

* Leashes save dogs’ lives! Keep your dog on a leash when you are walking him so he can’t run into traffic or chase cats and squirrels or other wildlife.
 

* Fireworks: Play with your pet instead of simply stroking him to fend off July 4th firework or thunderstorm fears. Playing a game with your pet when he shows early signs of anxiety, like pacing or trembling, can distract him from the stressor and, in the long term, teach him to associate that same stressor with positive things such as play and treats. Follow your dog’s cue to help him “hide” in a favorite room or under a desk, complete with chew toys. Turn on the radio or TV to muffle outside noises.
 

* Picnics: Keep dogs away from picnic garbage. Ingesting corncobs and chicken and other bones can be life-threatening. Also, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants such as lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits contain varying amounts of citric acid, limonin and volatile oils that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea. Ingesting grapes or raisins can result in kidney problems. The stems, leaves, and seeds of apples, cherries, peaches, and apricots contain cyanogenic glycosides that can cause vomiting and loss of appetite when eaten in large amounts. In severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shock, and even death can occur.

*Cocoa mulch and other gardening products. Cocoa mulch can be deadly if ingested and has an appetizing scent to some animals. Pesticides, fertilizers and other harsh chemicals can also be quickly fatal if ingested.

* Swimming pools:  If you have a swimming pool, do not leave your dog unattended in the pool area. Not all dogs can swim – they can drown if they fall into the water.

* Open windows: Use a heavy screen on windows or keep them closed if you have cats. During the summer, the number of cats suffering from “high rise” syndrome, or falling from windows, increases dramatically. Contrary to myth, cats do not land on their feet when falling from heights. The most severe injuries occur when cats fall from second- or third-floor windows.
 

Kennel Court Docket - Chester County veterinarian Tom Stevenson goes on trial on animal cruelty charges in Lancaster County Court on May 27.  Witnesses say Stevenson, who operates Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic, placed a puppy under scalding water before using tinsnips to amputate its tail without anesthesia. Stevenson's license has been suspended by the state's veterinary medical board pending the outcome of the trial.

See Baby Falcon Banding - The Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Game Commission will conduct a live Webcast of the annual Peregrine peregrine falcon banding on May 27. The adult falcons and five chicks live on a ledge of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg, where DEP is headquartered. It is the 12th successful season for the falcons who nest atop the Carson building. It was author Rachel Carson who sounded the alarm about the dangers of the DDT  - the pesticide that almost wiped out the nation's peregrine falcon population - in her landmark work, Silent Spring. To view the Webcast, scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the falcon icon. You can also click on the falcon cam anytime and watch all the action on the ledge. 

A Maryland horse rescue that specializes in draft breeds has stepped up to help a humane society in northwestern Pennsylvania overwhelmed with the seizure of 30 farm animals from a negligent owner.

Volunteers with Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy, Md., drove 300 miles to Warren County, Pa., last week to pick up six of the 13 horses found starving and in ill health in March.

They went home with seven horses, including Belgians and a Percheron, all of them in bad shape. Among their problems: parasite infestation, mange, lice and hoof issues. They were all underweight and one young horse's growth was stunted by poor health. A two-year-old Belgian colt was the size of a healthy 8-month-old, said the rescue's found, Christine Hajek.

The good news, Hajek said, is that the horses are friendly and show no signs of physical abuse. "They were severely neglected but they haven't been beaten," she said.

The horses belonged to a family that showed draft horses in driving competitions before they ran into financial trouble, Hajek said.

In all 30 animals were seized from the farm, including 10 cows and six cats. Farm owner Darcy Durlin pleaded guilty to four summary counts of cruelty to animals for failing to provide sustenance, water and clean living conditions.  His two sons pleaded guilty to two counts each, according to the Warren Times Observer.

The newspaper reported Durlin paid restitution for the horses' care to the local humane society, but Gentle Giants received nothing. The road to rehabilitation for several of these horses will likely be a long and costly one. If you would like to sponsor one of the rescued horses, make a donation or learn more about Gentle Giants click here. 

Does your Labrador have love handles? Has your Persian put on an extra pound or two? Nearly 50 percent of the pet population is considered obese. That can lead to health problems like arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

Maybe it's time to power walk with your pet. Celebrity fitness trainer Gunnar Peterson and the Alliance for Healthier Pets (a partnership between the American Veterinary Medical Association and Hill's pet food) are encouraging people and their pets to hit the “Training Room” this summer. Available at www.PetFit.com, the “Training Room” is a virtual fitness destination that features a people and pet fitness video as well as downloadable weight management tools for cats and dogs.

In Britain, one pet owner learned the fitness lesson the hard way: he was taken to court. Ronald West was convicted of neglect for letting his five-year-old Border collie Taz, balloon to 88 pounds - twice the normal weight of a dog his size. West said he had a bout of the flu and couldn't walk Taz, but a judge determined that West's behavior - doling out too many treats and not enough exercise - amounted to "killing the dog with kindness."

We were lucky to have Mary Remer join us for a live chat on May 7th (Read the transcript). Today, she's back by popular demand.

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.