Last week, the inconceivable happened in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania much to the dismay of fellow animal advocates. John Riehl, an Amish “farmer” who had applied for a commercial breeding permit was approved and can continue forward with his plans to build a kennel along Route 25 in Millersburg.
During the meeting held before the Upper Paxton Township Zoning Hearing Board, Riehl was told he had to meet certain conditions first before building his commercial kennel aka puppy mill. I state puppy mill since he asked for zoning approval for up to 500 dogs. Any kennel holding this number of animals is NOT a reputable breeder.
The conditions to which Riehl must adhere to are the following: planting trees along the property, creating a plan to get rid of the waste, limit hours the dogs can be out in the pasture and no more than 20 breeding dogs at one time. Riehl proposed to have 35 breeding dogs in his application.
Michael Crocenzi, the board Solicitor said this about the Township Hearing Board: “It’s nothing personal,” he said. “It is their job to follow the ordinance and attach what they thought were reasonable expectations to the special exception.” “The board members had to put their personal views aside and do the right thing.” “The property owner had the zoning laws behind him.”
I’m not sure what ordinance Crocenzi is speaking of but as of January 14th, 2015, an ordinance amending standards for the grant of a special exception for kennels was changed. The number of different breeding females of a kennel in any one calendar year may not exceed four as stated in picture.
The board followed the old zoning laws. Why or how can this be allowed? What will this permit mean for the county of Dauphin? How will PA be affected by this decision? Why didn’t Riehl have to adhere to the new zoning laws? Advocates would like to know the rationale behind Crocenzi’s statement.
I was going to attend last week’s meeting in opposition of the kennel but last minute efforts were thwarted by circumstances. Animal advocates were in attendance but despite their presence none were permitted to utter a word. In a previous meeting, animal activists spoke of their concerns and objections to Riehl’s commercial kennel being built. It fell on deaf ears.
Riehl’s kennel will be allowed to have up to 500 dogs! Imagine 500 dogs. When I traveled to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I was overcome by the 1,000 dogs barking in unison at the makeshift animal shelter at a local warehouse in Slidell. Thinking about those dogs and cats in the warehouse, in tents (known as tent city) around the grounds during the sweltering heat makes me think how these dogs will suffer in Dauphin County during the harsh winters as we experienced only recently. They will be subjected to the hottest days during the summer months with no reprieve. They can’t escape the weather elements. They don’t have the luxury of air conditioning or heat.
The dogs are used for one purpose and one purpose only- to breed for profit. The Amish are well-known for running puppy mills in PA. They are not the only people who have commercial kennels in the Keystone State. It is well-known that the Amish treat the dogs like crops. The dogs represent another “agricultural” form of making money. I call it the lazy man’s way to getting rich. Puppy millers do become wealthy off the misery of their breeding dogs.
When the female dogs can no longer breed, they are no longer wanted. Some may end up at an auction where another puppy miller will buy the female to breed in his/her mill. Some may be given to rescues. I know of rescues who have formed relationships with some of the kennel operators. The operators will hand over dogs when they are of no use to them. Lastly, despite PA’s Dog Law in 2008, Act 119, which states clearly humane euthanasia is the only manner in which to end a dog’s life in a kennel, operators still kill them inhumanely. Dogs are shot to death, drowned, or hit over the head with a rock.
What does this mean for PA? While some say the number of kennels has decreased significantly since Act 119 went into effect, the truth is 75% of those kennels went underground where they are no longer inspected. I can’t begin to fathom how those dogs are suffering.
By permitting a commercial kennel this size to be built, exist and make money off the misery of dogs, this is a bold statement about the state of puppy mills in Pennsylvania.
Act 119 which was to protect dogs in puppy mills has proven to be ineffective against the fight against puppy mills. It was watered down even further and we’re almost back to where we started prior to the passing of HB 2525 into law.
The only manner in which dogs can be ensured not to be committed to a life of hell is to make puppy mills illegal. The law and ordinances don’t mean anything to those in charge of making sure puppy millers comply. There is no consistency of enforcement of the laws.
Puppy mills must be outlawed, once and for all! We need to stop buying puppies from pet stores and the internet so those who operate mills can no longer profit.
Sad day for Dauphin County. Dreadful day for dogs.
And last week Earl Twp, Lancaster Co was up for zoning approval on a commercial kennel. And last fall Fulton Twp, Lancaster Co approved a 200 pup year commercial kennel despite applicant gave all wrong answers regarding disposal. My zip code has 0 kennels listed under PA Dept of Ag but 20 or 30 backyard breeders listed on the local broker website with pups for sale. I don’t understand how a backyard greenhouse must be licensed and inspected but not a backyard dog breeder.
Thank you for sharing that information Sylvia which further illustrates my point that many commercial kennels are not recognized in the state of Pennsylvania. It’s worse than people can imagine.
Thank goodness I found this! I found this adorable puppy and I was going to buy it and I looked at the seller’s name and googled it and turns out he’s a horrible man! Be careful on online dog shopping!
No one should be given permission to abuse these animals. Same should be done to the owners. Lock them in a cage for breeding purposes only, no contact, no medical care and thrown away when there is reason for their use. Someone needs to speak for these poor defenseless animals.
Jackie, You’re exactly correct. When these kennels are approved, they are given a “license” to abuse animals because the mothers and fathers who live in these mills suffer horribly their entire lives. There are many people who do speak up for these animals. Unfortunately, our words seem to fall on deaf ears.
Thank you.
Tired of hearing about this crap and nothing being done
Jackie, there are people who are trying and have been trying to end the cycle of puppy mills and misery. I believe we have to deal with this from a different angle. I don’t believe in changing the laws since they’re not enforced greatly. I believe in outlawing puppy mills, once and for all. Look for more ending puppy mills. I am a part of the movement.
Thank you.
If you live in Pa, I’d be very ashamed of those who allow puppy mills to exist and profit from breeding dogs.
The board members don’t seem to have a clue or don’t care how these dogs will suffer immeasurably. Living in cages for their entire lives. How can anyone say this is ok?
I agree GZ. No one who knows what puppy mills are really like will ever say they are ok.
Thank you.
NO! People need to adopt and not buy from pet stores. The stores buy their puppies from puppy mills. People think if they’re getting AKC puppies, they must be superior. Ironically, those papers mean nothing since they can be bought from the AKC. How would people feel knowing the parents of the puppy live in deplorable conditions. It’s a cycle that continues.
Did you really think Pennsylvania was no longer the puppy mill capital of the East? I knew it still was. I’ve read articles where they write how the number of puppy mills has dropped from over 300 puppy mills to less than 75. Get real!
PA is a joke when it comes to animals. They can’t even pass a simple law to protect tethered dogs from severe weather. Backwards state.
Are you kidding? Puppy mills have gone underground. They exist and are profitable. If only we could stop them and the people who choose to purchase puppies from these disgusting places.
John Riehl, the 500 dog kennel breeder in Millersburg, pa–is there anyway someone can check with the IRS to see if he claims income from the dogs he sells on-line? He would be making thousands of dollars from these sales.
Groups like the HSUS and MLAR think you need to listen to them because “they know best.” Pure BS! The law has done nothing. Certain journalists from Philly will tell you PA got rid of plenty of puppy mills. We NEVER HAVE!!! Wake up people. They’re as bad as ever!
Hell no!!
PA is the puppy mill capital of the United States! Who are they trying to kid?
The puppy mill operators are slick and smooth. They know what they’re doing. They’ll hand over their kennel to a relative so they no longer have a puppy mill. Millers are horrible people who don’t care about the welfare of animals in the least. They’ll do anything to stay in a business where the dogs have to do all the work and receive nothing in return except heartache, pain and eventually a horrible death.
Wow, this post is good, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things, therefore I am going to tell her.
they sell puppies online and it’s BIG business. They’ll always find a way to profit off the misery of animals. Sickening.