Two of Pennsylvania’s most notorious puppy mill operators have each been charged with 4 counts of animal cruelty for hanging two dogs and then setting their bodies on fire after a 9-month investigation.
John and Elizabeth (Betty) Stoltzfus, who owned Garden Sport Puppy Haven in Parkesburg, Chester County have been accused of conspiring to kill the female dogs who had brucellosis, by hanging them and burning their bodies, says the Pennsylvania SPCA. One was a Golden-doodle type and the other was a Bichon-type.
Each faces multiple misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and conspiracy along with summary counts of animal cruelty.
Dog wardens learned of the grisly acts of cruelty when they were inspecting the puppy mill in August 2017. Betty S. told the wardens John had hanged the sick dogs.
“This case is especially heinous as it alleges the intentional torture of these two animals through hanging, which is a slow and painful way to die,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA. “It is our hope that these defendants are convicted and face the harshest penalties available.”
The couple’s arraignment is scheduled for April 12 in the Chester County Justice Center. If they are convicted of cruelty, they will be barred from obtaining a PA state license and will be subject to stiffer penalties under Libre’s Law, which was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf.
In 2008, Pennsylvania passed a law that states the only manner in which a dog or puppy can be destroyed in a licensed kennel is by humane euthanasia administered by a veterinarian.
Garden Spot Puppy Haven formerly known as B & R Puppies, had their license revoked by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement in 2017 for extremely poor conditions among other issues. It made the list of the “Horrible Hundred” worst kennels nationally in 2017.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.
Throw the book at them! They deserve the worst punishment for torture they inflicted on those two dogs. Makes me ill to even think about it.
I agree but even with the worst punishment, it still won’t be enough in Pennsylvania.
Thank you.
i c he still selling puppies through greenfield.puppies
Misdemeanor? Summary offense? Is this a joke? Lock them up for a long time.
No, no joke!
Thank you.
Sure sounds like a joke! Giving them a traffic ticket is what’s been done. Sickening.
give me where they live..i will murder..
They should face felony charges under Libre”s Law. Hopefully, some time in prison for both of these monsters. The name Stolzfus says it all. Never again allow them near animals.
I will be shocked if they receive any jail time. I hope they do! But it won’t be enough for what they did! Yes, the name is quite synonymous with puppy mills.
I don’t think they’re going to spend anytime in jail. It’d be a miracle if they do. A summary offense is equal to a traffic ticket. The laws are stupid and not strong enough even with Libre’s Law. The law doesn’t cut it!
Stoltzfus- if you know puppy mills, you know that name! Puppy mills are in their blood. They’ll never stop having them, one way or another. It’s all they know and do. Why work when you can get animals to do it and not even care about them? Hate all puppy millers. Don’t buy any puppies in Lancaster County, Pa.
SICK FREAKS!
How do people become so gruesome?
This story is nothing but lies!!!! I can’t stand seeing the media write stories and making them up as they go!! All those lies just for a good story,,! Personally I don’t believe any of this, so please! Have some heart, and don’t just go by what the media says! What do you think the other side of the story is?? How do you think it makes them feel? Stop abuse on humans!!
Betty admitted the two dogs were hanged by her husband in August 2017. She told a dog warden. The Stoltzfus’s had their license taken away in 2017. They aren’t allowed to breed because of the multiple counts of animal cruelty.
Many puppy mill operators don’t see themselves as animal abusers. Many also don’t recognize that puppy mills are cruel to dogs.
Stop the abuse on animals.
Thank you.
Anyone one know what the Amish Community to which they belonged had to say about this? They cannot let these people go unpunished. Did they know about this?
I love your work but hate these people.
sick f#%$*
What disgusting and appalling pieces of crap! If you can kill a dog like that, I wonder……sickens me.
What sick creeps? Are they mentally ill to be so cruel to animals? Someone should do that to them. God, this makes me so angry and sad.
These people need to be pushed off the face of the earth right now.