Limestone Kennels is closed
From PSPCA:
Limestone Kennels in Chester County is no longer in operation, thanks to the work of PSPCA humane agents.
Kennel owner John Blank pled guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty, two violations of the state's Dog Law, and one summary charge of harassment. He had his license permanently revoked and was placed on two years probation, during which time state officials will ensure he does not own more than five personal dogs.
Blank surrendered 67 dogs to the PSPCA. Those dogs, once medically cleared by Chief Investigative Veterinarian Dr. Rachel Lee and Director of Animal Health Dr. Ravi Murarka, will be available for adoption at the Philadelphia headquarters.
Some of the puppies had been taken away from their mothers at the unbelievably young age of three weeks.
The Labradoodle had a serious eye infection and one of the Shiba Inus had an old puncture wound in her neck that abscessed after not being treated.
The dogs are all resting comfortably at PSPCA's Philadelphia Adoption Center. You can tell just how grateful they are to be out of their former "home" by the way they greet the PSPCA staff with their tails wagging. They are clamoring for the attention they never received in the kennel, and enjoy being able to move about freely and sleep on soft blankets.
One might think that after years of being pent up in tiny wire mesh kennels, these dogs would be wary of people, but this is not the case. The dogs are affectionate and trusting.
The condition of the dogs at Limestone was brought to PSCPA's attention by Bill Smith and Main Line Animal Rescue. You might recall that Bill, Main Line's Director, was the featured guest on Oprah Winfrey's puppy mill show this spring.
Main Line received nine dogs, five chocolate Labs, one yellow Lab, one Shiba Inu and two Jack Russell terriers from Limestone a few weeks ago. These dogs are debarked and have serious teeth and eye conditions. Several of the labs are missing eyes. And despite being over 5 years old, they didn't know how to walk on the leash -- they had to be carried into the PSPCA clinic. They are all recuperating at the Philadelphia branch and love having freedom in the InnTake Center.
When PSCPA staff saw the unnecessary pain these dogs had experienced because of Mr. Blank's greed, they decided to rescue as many of his dogs as possible. Going undercover, PSPCA Humane Officer Ashley Mutch purchased a 3-week old Yorkshire terrier puppy from Mr. Blank, who claimed the dog was seven weeks old -- the legal age at which a dog can be sold in Pennsylvania.
That puppy died 24 hours later from dehydration, hypothermia and emaciation. Luckily, during the raid, the PSPCA team was able to rescue the puppy's littermates.
The actions taken by PSPCA's law enforcement team are a warning for puppy mill operators -- we will find you and justice will be served for the innocent animals being bred and neglected at these dog factories.
Thank you to Bill Smith and Main Line Animal Rescue for bringing Limestone to PSPCA's attention. Thanks also to the law enforcement team, medical staff, Chester County Assistant District Attorneys Lori Finnegan and Kate Wright and Dog Law Prosecutor Jeffrey Paladina for their hard work to save these dogs.
You can help the PSPCA end Pennsylvania's reign as the "Puppy Mill Capital of the East." Report suspected puppy mills to the toll-free cruelty hotline, 1-866-601-SPCA, or send an email to cruelty@ pspca.org.
You can also help efforts to improve the lives of animals in Pennsylvania by contributing to PSPCA's Etana Fund to Stop Cruelty Against Animals.
All my best,
Howard R. Nelson, CEO, PSPCA
