Kennel owners shoot 80 dogs -- legally
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Two Pennsylvania kennel owners shot and killed 80 dogs because they had fleas, and here’s the catch: it was legal. The Morning Call reports:
Rather than seek medical attention for flea-bitten dogs, two Berks County kennel owners did something drastic but legal, officials said. They shot the dogs -- 80 of them. Elmer Zimmerman shot 70 dogs at his E&A Kennel in Maxatawny Township after a July 24 inspection by state officials, the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement said. His brother, Ammon Zimmerman, shot 10 dogs at his neighboring business, A&J Kennel. Wardens had ordered 39 dogs checked for flea and fly bites. They also issued citations for extreme heat, insufficient bedding and floors that dogs’ feet could fall through. Under current law, kennel owners can dispose of dogs for any reason. House Bill 2525, introduced in May and supported by Gov. Ed Rendell, would require veterinarians to euthanize dogs in commercial kennels.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals issued a statement today condemning the kennel owners’ actions.
‘This incident is a clear indicator of the need to amend current Pa. law and give qualified veterinarians sole authority to humanely euthanize animals in medical or behavioral circumstances as they see fit,’ said ASPCA President and Chief Executive Ed Sayres.
More about the state’s efforts to regulate dog breeding businesses can be found here.
-- Tony Barboza