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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Biden puppy breeder cited again

The operator of the Chester County kennel where Vice President Joe Biden purchased a German Shepherd puppy last month has been cited again for failing to keep proper records and for poor maintenance and drainage.

A Department of Agriculture spokesman said yesterday that Linda Brown was initially warned about the problems in a Jan. 5 inspection, but when investigators returned to Wolf Den kennel in Spring City last week they found conditions had not improved and sales and health records were incomplete.

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement issued her three new citations for violations to the state dog law, one each for records, drainage and maintenance. That's in addition to the two citations issued in December - the same week that Biden purchased the six-week-old puppy.

"If it's a first time offense, a warning is issued," said department spokesman Chris Ryder. "If on a follow up inspection it's not corrected, it can lead to a citation."

In a Jan. 5 inspection report posted on the Department of Agriculture Web site, Brown was warned about “an accumulation of food and hair” outside the kennels located inside her house. 

The inspection report indicates that Brown had corrected all the prior problems, but a follow-up inspection on Jan. 22 found paperwork was incomplete, Ryder said.

Brown, who also operates as JoLindy's German Shepherds, currently has 95 dogs on the property (up from 88 last month) and reported 188 dogs sold in the past 12 months, according to the inspection report. She holds the largest state commercial kennel license that allows her to keep or sell an unlimited number of dogs. 

The two citations issued in December were filed in Chester County district court on Jan. 20 and the case is pending, according to court records.

Adoption advocates nationwide criticized Biden’s decision to purchase a dog at a time when millions of unwanted dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. Biden later announced his intention to adopt a second dog from a shelter.

Posted by Amy Worden @ 9:17 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
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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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