I received the following email alert for Bucks County residents concerning a Willow Spring commercial breeding facility from North Penn Puppymill Watch. For all animal advocates living in the area, I urge you to attend to not only speak up but to find out more about this facility.
ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT
TUESDAY, JUNE 15 AT 7PM
QUAKERTOWN ADVOCATES FIGHT COMMERCIAL KENNEL ZONING
On Tuesday, June 15 at 7PM, Richland Township’s planning commission will hear testimony as to why Willow Spring, Bucks County’s ONLY commercial breeding kennel, should be permitted to operate in Richland Township.
Advocates know all too well the problems associated with commercial breeding facilities that are frequently referred to as “puppy mills.”
Local residents and neighbors of this kennel are highly encouraged to come to this meeting to state why this kennel should not be permitted to continue operating. Reports of ongoing outdoor burning (also prohibited by local laws) and the constant barking of dogs has resulted in many neighbors being unable to enjoy their homes.
Willow Spring IS Bucks County’s ONLY commercial canine breeding facility. To allow this business to operate may possibly allow for more large scale commercial canine breeding kennels to set up shop in a county that has a reputation for its pristine environment and concern for all companion animals.
Already dealing with a documented pet overpopulation problem, Pennsylvania does not need yet another licensed commercial breeding kennel and Richland Township should be mindful that in 2008 (the last available statistics from the PA Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement) more than 70,000 dogs entered Pennsylvania shelters.
HISTORY
On Thursday, April 15 Richland Township’s zoning board approved a harship variance to allow Willow Spring kennel to build onto their existing kennel – portions of which sit within a 200 foot setback on the property. Four hours of testimony from neighbors opposing the kennel were heard however township officials STILL rewarded this kennel, a kennel that has been operating WITHOUT zoning approvals for years, with their variance albeit with minimal conditions.
On last inspection, conducted February 02, 2010, the kennel was housing 165 dogs.
In 2004, Terrence and Jacalyn Smith applied to Richland Township for a variance to house 20 dogs in a hobby kennel. In testimony provided to the zoning board, Mrs. Smith stated that they were not asking permission to operate a breeding kennel and claimed the family raises dogs for show purposes only.
The Smiths were granted a variance that clearly states that the applicants, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, would maintain no more than 20 animals and that they were not permitted to maintain a commercial kennel on the premises.
Subsequent to receiving the variance, the Smiths did obtain a K1 kennel license from the Bureau of Dog Law, a division of the PA Department of Agriculture.
Pennsylvania requires any individual or company housing in excess of 26 dogs within a 12 month period to hold a kennel license. The Smith’s K1 license allowed them to house up to 50 dogs. Given the fact that the Smiths were only to have 20 dogs, they were not required to hold a state kennel license.
Within one short year, and according to the PA Bureau of Dog Law Inspection Report data base, the kennel had blossomed into a licensed K4 facility. A K4 license allows any individual or company to house up to 250 dogs.
Prior to the passage of the new Dog Law in 2008, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement did not question kennel license holders as to whether or not they had local zoning permissions to operate a kennel. Therefore, while licensed by the Bureau of Dog Law to house hundreds of dogs, the Smiths were not operating in accordance within the scope of what they had promised local authorities.
In short, the Smiths have been illegally operating a commercial breeding kennel for years.
In September of 2009 the Smiths were reported to Richland Township by neighbors. Township officials investigated and issued correspondence to the Smiths advising that they must apply for appropriate zoning to continue operating their commercial breeding kennel.
By way of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law, advocates obtained copies of the Smith’s 2009 kennel license renewal application. The application specifically asks whether or not the kennel has local zoning to operate the kennel for which they request a license; in 2009 the Smiths falsified their applications and claimed they have local zoning when, in fact, they do not.
Furthermore, the Smiths have ALSO requested an additional license from the state to operate a “rescue kennel” and stated on the application that they have local zoning for this venuture even though they have not yet applied to the township for zoning to run such a kennel.
Additionally, and while the new Dog Law did pass in 2008, kennel operators had until November 09, 2009 to implement changes.
As of December 02, 2009, the Smiths were still not in compliance with the new regulations that require increased cage sizes, solid flooring in the cages and unfettered access to outside exercise runs.
To view documents referred to in this Alert, go here:http://www.nppmwatch.com/WillowSpring/Willow_Spring_Action_Alert_2.html
Please plan to attend the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at 7PM!
Richland Township1328 California RoadQuakertown, Pennsylvania 18951