Animal cruelty case against Almost Heaven Kennel owner Derbe Ec...

[Linda G]

This kennel was justed inspected again on Jam. 8 - from the Dept. of Ag's kennel reports (they included the wrong year - but the correct year is stated at the bottom of the report):

>> Reinspection of kennel took place on January 08, 2008. A total of 259 adult dogs and 159 puppies were
located on the premises at the time of inspection. Kennel owner’s 2008 kennel license was viewed along with
rabies self certification letter and exemption letter allowing owner to keep records on “unofficial” forms.
Inspection was performed with Drew Delenick, Joe Loughlin, and the state veterinarian. The state
veterinarian examined all dogs in the kennel and determined that none of the dogs’ health, safety, and/ or
welfare was endangered. Kennel in compliance with all PA kennel regulations as of the date and time of this inspection.

***Actions directed to be taken below are not all that may be required of the kennel operator to come into
compliance. The kennel operator is responsible for taking any and all actions necessary to come into
compliance.

The inspection of December 11, 2008 is as follows:

21.21 (a)

This previous unsatisfactory has been corrected. The owner bought large carpet mats for each pen to cover
the entire floor surface. <<<
END OF REPORT

Is somebody blind, or were those present on the property given a warning (as I've been told is common practice)that the inspectors were coming so they could clean up?

This is why I say a lot of these kennel reports aren't worth the paper they are written on. Obviously, neither is the law.

[idea]

Heres an idea that just might work. People that live within close proximity to this place need to go in there with hidden cameras and film the place.
Act like interested adopters. Ask about the animals and their health certificates, their vet records, their pedigree or lack there of. In other words act as though you know what you are talking about. Mention to the owners about how it smells or how dirty it is and get their responses on tape! Turn these films and tapes over to the attn general. A pic says a thousand words!!!!!!

Any volunteers??? Remember you'd have to act like you know nothing about the raids or anything negative! You have to ignore the crying animals, filth, smells etc. Still ready to volunteer?

[Higgins]

To all of you, who believe the PASPCA is infallable, guess again. In the near future, several law suits will become public. The truth about PSPCA will be revealed.
Apparently the Morning Call reporter is in Howard the Coward's pocket.
Please keep an open mind and wait patiently for the FULL story to present itself.

[Higgins]

Wow! George Bungle apparently knows a good man, when he sees him. He shook Chris Martin's hand, said he missed him and wished he was back. Too bad he wasn't man enough to tell Howard the Coward to his face how good Chris was at his job, instead of hang letting him be hung out to dry. He is such a two-faced pansy. Bet Howard the Coward fired him this morning!

[Christine Leinen]

It is hard enough for me to see animals in pet stores that long to get out and not be able to buy them all. What posses people to become "kennel" entrepreneurs when all they see is a means of being publicly cruel? How can they look at the suffering and not take care of it? THEY should be put in a feces-filled cage with no water or food. Let THEM see how it feels!

[Lois]

One of our dogs was "adopted" from Skip before he owned Almost Heaven, 10 years ago. He is a good dog, but when we first got him he wouldn't let me touch his tail or brush him. Our vet also informed me that he had a huge vet bill that was unpaid. I can't believe that he is still running a kennel 10 years later. Something is seriously wrong with the system to allow him to remain in business.

[DogLover]

The SPCA has skeletons in their closet. The raid on Almost Heaven is a "publicity" stunt to bolster donations at the SPCA. They should be looking in the mirror. I adopted a sick dog from the SPCA. It was the worst experience in my life adopting from the SPCA that I will never adopt from them again.I keep receiving donation request from them even after I told them to take me off their mailing list. What a money making scheme thet are.

DogsRule2 wrote:

Why was FORMER humane officer Chris Martin and Pocono Record reporter Beth Brelje rubbing elbows with Derbe Eckhart in the courtroom yesterday... from the looks of it, they were good friends. Sadly, this isn't the first time Martin has protected an animal abuser and if Berlje is counting on Eckhart to provide "facts" and information for her PSPCA smear campaign, well, you now know how accurate her stories are and to what level she's willing to stoop in order to create "headlines."

[anonymous]

We had this mans family member as a patient, and from my understanding, the inside of the house was no better than the kennels. And there were infants and toddlers walking around the filth. The condition of the house was reported to the county because the health of the woman was compromised

[wtf]

this a**hole should not even have a goldfish

[Imagine that]

save the taxpayers all kinds of money and just shoot this scumbag....

[Higgins]

Exactly Right! It is a publicity stunt to gain money. And to get adoptable pets. At present, PSPCA in Philly is over run with Pit Bulls. They need adoptable pets, thus the raid and taking of them. And Almost heaven isn't the only place where it was done. Law suits have been filed!
People, there are laws on the books that must be followed. Dog Law is under the Department of Agriculture for the State of Pennsylvania. They were at Almost Heaven monthly and other than a few citations to conform, it passed BY LAW. It was conforming to the laws, as written by the State of Pennsylvania. Dog Law is in charge of kennels, licensing of dogs, strays, updated shots, and reports of dog bites . PSPCA is the "The Pennsylvania Society For The Protection Of Amimals" All they are to do is respond to reports of abused, sick or neglected animals. Kennels are under the Dog Law juristiction. So, once again Howard the Coward has overstepped his boundries. Why? To make Dog Law look bad and himself look good! This has been escalating for over a year, with Howard the Coward becoming ever more brazen. He thinks he is above the law. And, he doesn't care about animals at all. He doesn't care about anything, excepy money. This is all for show and money. HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE ANIMALS!!!
Almost Heaven kennels will vindicate themselves. In time you will all see the truth. From a pet owners perspective, few kennels would be acceptable. I have pets, who live wonderful lives, but shelters and kennels like Almost Heaven are in large part the result of non-caring pet owners. They do breed dogs, but many living there are throw away dogs taken in and cared for. We wouldn't even need shelters, if pet owners were responsible. Instead of bashing shelters and kennels, start bashing the neighbors you know, who don't neuter or care for their pets. Start turning them in for abuse or throwing away a pet. Animals deserve to be loved and cared for. We as a society need to make that happen on an individual basis. All of you, who are outraged, when was the last time you adopted a pet or donated food or money to a non-kill shelter. There are people out there dedicated to helping animals. Howard the Coward Nelson is not one of them!

[Staberdearth]

Where's PETA?

[PETA]

Staberdearth wrote:

Where's PETA?

PETA cares more about fur coats, chickens, cows, and pigs. PETA really doesn't care about companion pets. PETA is a ultra-liberalist organization dedicated to eliminating animals as food sources.

[Hannah and Honey Doodle]

I must say at first it seems crazy to pay 1200.00 to 1500.00 for a "Mutt" as most would refer to a Doodle as. Most of your AKC people would refer to them as such, you don't know Doodle's until you have loved one, raised one or even seen the beauty these dog's really posses. They are every bit as good or better than an AKC dog. It does not make them any less of a dog with feelings because of the price tag put on them. In fact my two doodles come from the smartest of the two AKC breeds, Golden Retriever and Poodle, which for dogs makes them highly intellegent. This problem is not the "Designer Dog's" this is Almost Heaven Kennels problem, and what they may have or not done. We the public decide what we want to pay for a dog, no matter what kind it may be. As for Closeminded's opinions ... I think she is refering to my pup Honey, and yes I do have to agree, but as for Hannah and Honey, they are in the best home and loved so much, they will have great lives and never be abused. I think we all need to pull together and remember this can happen even with AKC kennels, not just "Mutt breeders"! I have seen kennels and heard horror stories about quite a few in the area, so its widespread. Only our government system can justify these problems, and need to put these kind of kennels out of business for ever no matter what the price you paid.

[Doodle gathering]

Is there some way we all who own Doodles could get to meet. I know Bethlehem has a doggy park and would be nice to get together with other Doodles, Or if someone has a large enough enclosed back yard! Maybe if we get enough petitions going we can put this guy out of business once and for all......Suggestions please

[Higgins]

Hey, Doodle lovers. They are now a recognized AKC breed. Their price comes from supply and demand. They are positively adorable and weither golden or lab, have great dispositions and make wonderful companions. I always divide the price by the years, months and days of pleasure they bring. Nothing can compare with having a great dog!

[LOVE MY DOODLE]

Hi Higgins,
Don't know where you got your facts from, or AKC papers if you have them for a Doodle, Golden or Labradoodles are not a AKC recognized breed, and will be a long time before they are, due to coming up with breed standards and years of breeding to perfect these standards. AKC may never recognize them like the American Bulldog. If you do have AKC papers I sure would like to see them. Their price comes from what the breeder decides they want to sell them for, and what they have invested in a litter, such as (shots, worming, daily care). So on an average if a Doodle lives to 16 years old and the person paid 1200.00 for it, they are worth $4.69333333 a day, lol. It does not matter what you pay, the love is what counts, and until you've been Doodled you don't know what Love is!

[Matthew]

It seems to me that quite a few animal breeders and kennel owners are actually "collectors" who have a mental illness that compels them to take on more animals than they can really take care of.

[no pity]

At 6:30 PM (tonight) there was a state trooper at Almost Heaven, I wonder what was going on?

[Molly McB]

Frankly, my concern is with the PSPCA. Why hasn't this place been shut down? Howard Nelson is a power hungry monster that doesn't give a rat's behind about animals. The crimes the PSPCA has committed are far worse than anything they've accused others of doing. The animals at their shelters are being abused, neglected and tortured. They have all that money and yet they don't spay and neuter the animals at their shelters. Please visit the website www.tortiball.com for more information on the PSPCA. Do not donate to this organization. Please donate to your local no-kill rescue.