Hundreds of dogs seized from puppy mill, site of PA's largest animal raid

Photo by Endless Dan
Pictured here is a labradoodle, one of the
breeds discovered at Almost Heaven Kennels.

Dog wardens from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture raided Almost Heaven Kennels LLC in Emmaus, Lehigh County Tuesday afternoon, permanently closing the kennel and removing 250 dogs due to deplorable conditions.  The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) stated that typical puppy mill conditions were found at the kennel, and that many of the dogs had likely lived their entire lives in the wire cages, never having walked on a flat surface.

Approximately 800 dogs were previously discovered on the property during an October 2008 raid, and hundreds were removed from the property due to serious medical conditions.  Other animals removed during from the raid included cats, birds, guinea pigs, spider monkeys, and miniature horses and ponies.  Last year's raid was considered the biggest animal raid in Pennsylvania history. 

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement ("the bureau") denied Almost Heaven's 2009 kennel license due to dog law violations discovered from the October inspection, as well as from subsequent inspections of the kennel.  The owner appealed the October 2008 decision, but on May 5, 2009, the Department of Agriculture upheld the license denial.  Since the kennel's owner failed to file an appeal within 30 days of this last decision, dog wardens were allowed to close the kennel today.   Twenty-five dogs, the maximum amount allowed under law without a kennel license, were allowed to remain on the property.  According to the bureau, Almost Heaven's owner will never again be allowed to operate a dog kennel in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The Department of Agriculture enlisted the help of the HSUS in today's raid.  The HSUS will assist with handling, transporting, and housing the animals in a temporary emergency shelter on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.  There the dogs will be examined by veterinarians and treated for their medical ailments.  After receiving veterinary care, the dogs will be released to rescues and shelters throughout Pennsylvania for adoption.

To confidentially report unsatisfactory or illegal kennels, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's toll-free hotline at 1-877-DOG-TIP1.

• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 
• The Humane Society of the United States
• Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• 6ABC Action News
• Fox29 News