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Almost Heaven kennel owner to be sentenced for cruelty

A Lehigh County man who once owned one of the largest kennels in the state is scheduled to be sentenced for animal cruelty today.

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Almost Heaven kennel owner to be sentenced for cruelty

POSTED: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7:44 AM

Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer

A Lehigh County man who once owned one of the largest kennels in the state is scheduled to be sentenced for animal cruelty today.

A jury found Derbe "Skip" Eckhart - owner of the now defunct Almost Heaven kennel - guilty of multiple counts of animal cruelty stemming from a 2008 raid. That action by the Pennsylvania SPCA revealed hundreds of animals - including cats, dogs, horses, birds and guinea pigs - living in filth and many sick and injured dogs. In that raid, and a subsequent raid by humane agents and the state in 2009, 325 dogs were removed from the property.

Eckhart, who continued to accumulate dogs after his kennel license was revoked, had a history of animal cruelty, including a conviction in 1990 related to the deaths of ten starving puppies.

More from the Morning Call of Allentown here. (The newspaper plans to update with news from the courthouse today)

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Comments (1)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:57 PM, 05/20/2010

Did he pre-meditate his wrong doings by naming his business Almost Heaven because that's where they were on their way too. He needs to be seriously charged making money off of innocent pets...

— jblount

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About this blog

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. Reach Amy at aworden@phillynews.com.