PSPCA, kennel owner reach compromise
A Philadelphia kennel owner must clean up her property, take better care of her dogs and allow monthly inspections. In return, animal cruelty charges were dropped against her. That's the deal struck yesterday between Wendy Willard and the Pennsylvania SPCA with the help of a judge - who had a few stern words for those who reportedly posted death threats against humane officers investigating the case on the Internet.
PSPCA, kennel owner reach compromise
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE: The picture above shows one of the Bassets found at Willard's kennel at the time of the raid. Look closely at those little black dots on the dog's face. Those are ticks. PSPCA officers say all the dogs in Willard's kennel were covered in ticks and some were suffering from Lyme Disease. Many had severe cases of parasites too.
A Philadelphia kennel owner has six months to clean up her property, take better care of her dogs and allow inspections at any time. In return, animal cruelty charges will be dropped if she follows through. That's the deal struck yesterday between Wendy Willard and the Pennsylvania SPCA with the help of a judge - who had a few stern words for those who reportedly posted death threats against humane officers investigating the case on the Internet.
My colleague Nathan Gorenstein reported the story for today's editions of the Inquirer.
Animal-cruelty charges filed against a woman known for running a successful pack of sporting dogs have been continued until June and will be dropped if she complies with an agreement to clean and maintain her kennel in Roxborough.
In July, the Pennsylvania SPCA raided the property of Wendy Willard, owner of Murder Hollow Bassets. The agency filed 22 citations against her for failing to adequately care for 23 dogs on her property, 11 more than allowed under city ordinances.
Philadelphia Community Court Judge Joseph J. O’Neill negotiated the agreement between Willard and SPCA officers.
O’Neill said from the bench that Willard must install a drainage system, keep her property “reasonably free from feces,” repair the kennel ceiling, change standing water the dogs drink from at least once a day, and have the dogs checked for parasites.
O’Neill said the SPCA would have to consult with Willard over where to permanently place the dogs removed from the property.
“This is something that will benefit everyone,” O’Neill said.
Willard’s pack, formed in 1986, has been included among a handful in the prestigious Chronicle of the Horse, the bible of the horse-and-hound crowd. The kennel’s bassets have won awards at the Bryn Mawr Hound Show.
A small group of Willard’s friends appeared at the hearing in Community Court, as did a half-dozen neighbors called to testify about conditions at the property.
O’Neill also sharply criticized reported Internet death threats made against animal-control officers for the raid on Willard’s property.
“You should contact animal people,” O’Neill said to Willard, and tell them “that this matter is resolved.”
O’Neill said he was not suggesting Willard had a role in the threats.
“You’re entitled to have your dogs,” O’Neill said to Willard, “and she is entitled to inspect,” the judge said with a nod toward SPCA Officer Tara Loller.
On the day of the raid, Willard was accused of throwing stones at vehicles driven by SPCA and state dog officers.
O’Neill said the SPCA would make monthly, unannounced inspections to ensure Willard was following the negotiated agreement.
Willard declined to comment, but her attorney, Charles Geffen, said the SPCA also had agreed to return to her a dog named Osh Kosh, who lived in her house
To be fair an equal number of neighbors were present to testify as to property lines in the issue of Pspca trespassing before a warrant was obtained. Also the insiuation that the water was not fresh is inaccurate. Water in a clean stainless steel bowl is by definition standing water.— flagday- Internet threats against the PSPCA. So this is what the so-called humane vet from Lancaster does in his spare time.— McGruff
- Internet threats against the PSPCA. So this is what the so-called humane vet from Lancaster does in his spare time.— McGruff
- McGruff, say, or better yet, DO, something constructive. Name-calling and snide remarks do not help animal welfare. There is a reason PSPCA dropped these charges. If you had even an inkling . . . It is all begining to surface.— intheknowre:pspca
- McGruff....simple question...when you are asking about the Humane Vet from Lancaster County are you referring to me or not. At least have the courage and guts to do that anonymously. And I'm sure you would have some sort of proof that I was the one making these internet threats?? Geez. Bryan Langlois, DVM "As Always...any comments made are mine and mine alone and do not represent the Humane League of Lancaster County or any other organization."— Shelterviewer
- This is so like dog breeders, threatening and harassing dog wardens and humane agents when violations are found. Breeders are an arrogant, spiteful and hateful bunch, known to circle the wagons for, NOT the abused dogs but their own kind, because they are so afraid they’ll be accused of siding with humane agents or animal advocates. Of course what can we expect from breeders and ‘show dog people’ who think nothing of keeping dogs caged in Vari-kennels or in deplorable conditions? In my book, they’re no different than the puppy millers. All they care about is preserving their “rights” at any costs!— Macy
- Wonder what her "friends" are going to do with all the money they collected in her name; to help with her attorney fees, etc. Are they going to give it back? Now that the case is settled? Glad when we have a new Governor and he gets rid of a few members of the Dog Law Advisory Board.— RE-Joyce
- OMG, what are we looking at here? I heard the pictures were HORRIBLE and this poor Basset Hound looks like s/he is filthy and has a severe eye infection. Looks like a dark, dank place the dog is in. Can you tell us more? Post any more pictures? This woman and her despicable supporters should be ashamed but, sadly, they probably aren't capable of any empathy for these dogs or any animals.— Macy
- Six months to clean up her act? How about 6 days? Haven't Willard's dogs suffered long enough? I'm so sick of these so-called reputable breeders getting away with abuse and neglect. All one has to do is read some of the PA kennel inspection reports to see the REAL picture of how these dogs suffer in silence. A Corgi breeder in Coatesville, Chester County, who keeps dogs in plastic airline crates 24/7; a Labrador breeder in Greentown, Pike County, who keeps dogs in deplorable conditions with NO shelter; an Irish Setter breeder in Mohrsville, Berks County, who keeps dogs chained to barrels - read HIS inspection reports - they will make you sick! You thought the Amish and Mennonite puppy millers were bad? Spend some time looking at the kennel reports of these "English" AKC breeders.— Summer Stoltzfus
- Look carefully at the picture and you will see a publication breaking the spirit of judge's order which encouraged both sides to be nice. The records submitted to the court on each dog show no tests for parasites. There were positive lyme snap tests, but if you google this topic you find that you must associate this test with symptoms and do further testing to warrant antibiotics for such dogs. The raid was conducted at night thus the dark conditions. None of this has been presented because there has been no trial. Hopefully both sides will comply and this will be over in 6 months. Now please use your time and energy to raise money for Haitian children whose condidtions are much more deplorable than these dogs.— flagday
- Flagday, uh, sorry, no room for "niceties" when dogs are treated and kept in this manner and NO ONE from YOUR side sees anything wrong with it? No truly reputable OR ethical dog breeder would dare neglect their dogs in this manner. I can tell from what little I can see the dog's coat is filthy and dull, there is hair loss (mange?) on the ear and eyebrow, plus the enclosure looks like the inside of a septic tank! Yep, a picture is worth a thousand words.— Summer Stoltzfus
- Never have seen the inside of a septic tank, so can't address that one. If you have been in the enclosure recently and are not an officer of the PSPCA, the court may wish to speak to you. No mange listed on spca health report— flagday
- Believe me, I've seen the inside of enough kennels and puppy mills to last me lifetime. And I said from *what I can see in the picture* it looks like what I described. How would YOU defend the ticks and hair loss and eye problem? I'd expound more but I have to donate to the Haitians and then attend a pro-life rally. You know these breeders, always telling us animal lovers to "get a life" and do something for the unborn or impoverished.— Summer Stoltzfus
- Flagday is as self-absorbed as Shelterviewer. There is a difference between standing water and standing dirty water. But Flagday - you can stick your head in both.— RE-Joyce
- Oh, I see the full picture (#2), literally, and the more I see, the more puzzled I am that the judge didn't throw the book at Willard. That pitiful dog, sores on the back leg, overgrown toenails, bloated ticks and and an overall depressed state. Willard's hollow can be murder on dogs.— Macy
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