Murder Hollow Kennel Seizure

[asanders]

This just caught my attention on FOL.
http://www.espomagazine.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=23394&sid=359cbe6d18378ad1a5f2a1b0c1484f75

I turned here for more info and came up blank.

Does anyone know what’s going on here? I usually stand back a pace from the arena of regulation, activists, and nemesises, but this sounds like anj atrocious misuse of law enforcement powers.

Maybe if the President invites everyone to the Whitehouse for a beer (and kibble for the hounds), they can work it all out…

[LexInVA]

This is very strange. It doesn’t seem to be playing out well so far.

[twofatponies]

[QUOTE=asanders;4283359]
This just caught my attention on FOL.
http://www.espomagazine.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=23394&sid=359cbe6d18378ad1a5f2a1b0c1484f75

I turned here for more info and came up blank.

Does anyone know what’s going on here? I usually stand back a pace from the arena of regulation, activists, and nemesises, but this sounds like anj atrocious misuse of law enforcement powers.

Maybe if the President invites everyone to the Whitehouse for a beer (and kibble for the hounds), they can work it all out…[/QUOTE]

Ridiculous. I hope they find all the hounds.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I was so sad to read about this on FOL.

So much for “oh, we’re not passing mandatory spay/neuter or requring kennel licenses to go after responsible owners - we’re just trying to get rid of puppy mills. Why, we’d never attempt to enforce this against folks like y’all.”
:mad:

I’m guessing the municipality is refusing to release the dogs because they’re evidence. Poor dogs. Poor breeders.:no:

[Equibrit]

Protest here; http://www.pspca.org/

Shouldn’t they have been “grandfathered” ?

[JSwan]

Uh - is this the same SPCA that was involved in that massively screwed up politically motivated horse seizure a while back? That “urban” stable that was razed right after the animals were taken?

[LexInVA]

Does anyone know anything about the Murder Hollow Kennel? Specifically the actual structuring and layout of it. I ask because the statute under which they removed the animals simply says “residential dwelling” and not “property” which one would probably interpret as a house/townhouse, apartment building, or condominium. It looks like the regulation was passed and the kennel was the easiest target for making a quick example, albeit a questionable one in my opinion.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=Equibrit;4283618]

Shouldn’t they have been “grandfathered” ?[/QUOTE]

One would think so, if it was a zoning ordinance. She should have been a non-conforming use - ok as long as she didn’t expand.

[JSwan]

If you take a look at the website for that SPCA, and know the history of the PA “puppy mill” politics… it’s pretty obvious this is politically motivated. If any of y’all are aware or the puppy politics in that state you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Gestapo tactics for a zoning violation? Wonder what happens to residents if they put a new deck on without a permit. Firing squad?
:rolleyes:

[lcw579]

Don’t know anything about this kennel. But, yes, this is the same SPCA that went after the urban cowboys.

Puppy mills are hot, hot, hot here right now. Mostly, thanks to Bill Smith of Mainline Animal Rescue - he was on Oprah! :rolleyes: I would look there for the missing dogs. He is well known for taking the more “adoptable” dogs from the city shelters and bringing them out to his place in the Chester County at the old Pickering Hunt on 113. He is always involved in any high profile “rescue” or anything that will garner him publicity. A far cry from his days of handing out strays at the dog park from the back of his car…

[JSwan]

Told ya so. My club has one of their bassets. Nothing wrong with that kennel or club. Not one thing.

It’s animal rights politics.

This is what comes of giving law enforcement powers to so called “charities”.

[lcw579]

Forgot to add the link to his site if you any of you are interested: mlar.com. There are some bassets & beagles on the site already.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I’ve been trying and failing to pull up the text of the Philadelphia county ordinance at issue. Has anyone had better luck?

[LexInVA]

Click here to get started. Go to that link. You’ll find the regulations under the Animal heading.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Thanks, Lex, but I still don’t see the kennel regulation or anything limiting the number of dogs. I looked in animals and in the zoning code, too. Am I just blind?

[Equibrit]

Ordinances;
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Pennsylvania/philadelphia_pa/title10regulationofindividualconductanda/chapter10-100animals?f=templates$fn=altmain-nf.htm$q=kennels%20$x=server$3.0#LPHit1

§ 10-102. Administrative Provisions.4

 (1)     [I]Responsibilities of Various Departments.[/I]
      (a)     The Department of Public Health shall have primary responsibility for the control of animals pursuant to this Chapter of The Philadelphia Code.
           (i)     There is hereby established in the Department of Public Health a Division of Animal Control, which shall be responsible for the duties of the Department of Public Health as described in this Chapter. The Commissioner of Health may, if he chooses, contract out any or all of the duties of the Division of Animal Control.
           (ii)     The Department of Public Health shall authorize Animal Control Officers to monitor and enforce the provisions of this Chapter. Animal Control Officers are empowered to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, and shall issue orders or citations or impound animals or otherwise act to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, or to act as animal control officers as designated in applicable state law.
           (iii)     The Department of Public Health shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of licenses and set by regulation the requirements and standards for the humane operation of businesses relating to animals pursuant to this Chapter. The Department of Public Health shall certify these regulations to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
           (iv)     Upon notice of any violation of this Chapter or any regulation or standard promulgated thereunder, the Department of Public Health or an animal control officer shall conduct an inspection and when necessary take appropriate action including but not limited to the issuance of fines as described in this Chapter. The Department of Public Health or an animal control officer shall recommend to the Department of Licenses and Inspections suspension or revocation of licenses where appropriate.
           (v)     The Department of Public Health shall establish standards for granting waivers to residents for keeping more than twelve (12) adult dogs or cats combined based on the welfare and safety of the animals, residents and local community.
      (b)     The Department of Licenses and Inspections shall issue licenses in accordance with this Chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Department of Licenses and Inspections may revoke or suspend licenses issued under this Chapter when appropriate or when requested by the Department of Public Health.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Thanks, Equibrit!

[Painted_Wings]

I read this on FOL and got kind of panicked. I have 9 beagles. Looked through the county rules and could only find something that said 5 breeding females or less. Since I have four bitches and one is spade I figure I’m within the requirements. But geez, its something I never thought of with 160+ acres. I’ll be in trouble if some town incorporates us I’m sure.

It’s crazy to have rules like that with no accounting for acreage or anything.

[Tantivy1]

FOL has a link to the Neveryetmelted site with a series of articles following this event.

I agree, gestapo tactics?

Are they that afraid of little old ladies?

Or are they trying to intimidate the public?

Actions can have…unintended consequences, doncha ya know.

Wonder what will happen to donations when the public discovers the truth?

[asanders]

The main thread on this is on the around the farm.
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=218007&highlight=murder+hollow