Almost Heaven, Closer To Hell
A kennel in Emmaus (PA) will have its license revoked after an inspection by The Department of Agriculture cited the owner for severe sanitation issues.
Derbe Eckhart, the owner of Almost Heaven Kennel, will be cited for violating the state’s dog law and will have to sell or transfer enough dogs to no longer be considered a kennel. Any kennel housing more than 25 dogs is required to be licensed and inspected.
“Mr. Eckhart allowed conditions at his kennel to deteriorate into a deplorable state,” said Jessie Smith, special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. “While we continue investigating his operations, we are taking this action to protect the health and welfare of the animals there.”
Thanks to House Bill 2525, recently passed by the House making progress in the Senate, if passed it will strengthen the current dog laws concerning commercial breeding kennels.
“Raising the minimum standards for commercial breeding kennels and requiring annual veterinary checks will benefit all dogs in these types of settings,” said Smith. “Current law does not require that dogs ever receive routine medical care and as a result, many go without.
H.B. 2525 would require veterinary examinations for each dog twice per year. It would also double the minimum floor space for dogs, eliminates wire flooring, and requires access to an exercise area twice the size of the dog’s primary enclosure. Current law does not require dogs ever be taken out of cages, much less given access to exercise areas.
I realize this is only a start, but at least we’re beginning to see some change. You can visit DogLawAction, to learn more about Pennsylvania’s Dog Law proposed legislation.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your efforts. Here in NV one of our Senators is a vet and has introduced bills to help our furry friends too. Bless you.
Jezzie http://www.dogster.com/dogs/427648, mom Deanna, wrote a great article
http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveoftheDog/news-updates/almost-heaven-hell-for-animals-video#comment-20709
about what all this scum Derbe Eckhart has been doing for the past 20 yrs. this isn’t his first time. he will go somewhere else find someone else to partner with and start all over. he needs to be put away.
This is wonderful news, I hope it continues on nationwide.
FAR from heaven is more like it! Eckhart is despicable and I would like to put him in a small cage for a few years without food and water and see how he fairs. I located the hell holes Web site, along with their contact info:
610.967.6330
almostheaven01@aol.com
HB2525 hasn’t actually done anything yet because it hasn’t been passed into law; the PA Senate has yet to vote on it and is currently in the process of amending it to death, nullifying much of the good work it was intended to do. If it doesn’t get passed by the Senate prior to the end of the legislative session in Nov, the bill will be dead and the process will have to start from scratch next year.
The Dog Law Action site is good, also see petition and Gov Rendell’s (who is a dog hero!) speech at:
http://savingpuppies.com/
disgusting
Mommy heard about Almost Heaven through the Dog Scout troop we are thinking of joining in the area. Apparently several members would drive by an cringe as they passed the place.
The place has been shut down several times and he has been charged with animal cruelty on a number of occasions. They keep changing the business into a different family member’s name and get around the law.
It is sad and awful that he could get away with being so inhumane for so long.
Hopefully the bill will be passed and give pups a better standard of living preventing future occurrences of things like this.
Why do people have to be like that!! so greedy to make a quick buck!! They dont care about the animals!! You Know Animals Do Have Feelings!! They Feel The Hurt And Joy Just Like We Do!! People Who Abuse Their Pets Just Make Me Sick!! I,am So Glad They Are Shut Down!! My Dog Is So Special To Me!! I Could Never Hurt Her In AnyWay!!
The owner of Almost Heaven needs to be put in jail, along with the animal inspectors who warned of their visits and passed his kennel. These house of horrors and torture chambers for animals must be stopped. People can not sit back. Ghandi said we can judge the state of a nation by how we treat our animals. Think about it. Take action.
I have seen first hand what gross neglect these animals suffered. I just adopted one of the many rescued dogs from “Almost Hell” being cared for at the Philadelphia SPCA. I have named her Daisy and she suffers from malnutrition, is covered in patchy red rashes, scabs from head to toe, bloody ears and a double eye infection and that is only what can been seen on the surface. She is a year and a half old and very unsteady on her feet. This was pointed out to me by a SPCA worker. I of course asked why? He said because the @#%^& owner of Almost Hell kept many dogs in cages so small they could not stand up. I asked if she came in with signs of being beaten he said no but she had never been out of a cage, walked in grass, been on a leash or had any bond to anyone or anything. So Daisy a 11/2 year old apricot labradoodle will experience most of her firsts with me. I am so glad that she chose me to be her new family. For all you dog lovers out there if you have the room in your heart and in your home please take a trip and adopt one of these many animals which has yet to be loved.