FINALLY!!!!!!-SKIPPY PLEADS GUILTY TO ALMOST HEAVEN ATROCITIES!

THIS JUST IN FROM JODI GOLDBERG!

09-22-09 -- Troubled Kennel Owner Enters Guilty Plea
By: Patrick Lester, The Morning Call



Former dog kennel owner Derbe "Skip" Eckhart pleaded guilty today in Lehigh County Court to animal cruelty and multiple dog law violations, crimes that could put him behind bars for up to three years.

Eckhart, who operated Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township before it was shut down in June, also faces fines of up to $7,500 under a plea agreement reached with the Lehigh County District Attorney's office.

Eckhart pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty, three counts of violating a cease and desist order and failing to remove 216 dogs from the kennel after the period to appeal his denied operating license expired.

Prosecutor Jay Jenkins said that under the agreement, Eckhart does not intend to be involved in any other kennel, but would like to keep some of his personal animals and continue working as a groomer at a Fogelsville business.

It will be up to Judge Robert L. Steinberg to decide whether Eckhart can keep those animals and work as a groomer during sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Steinberg told Eckhart he could be sentenced to 18 months to three years in prison.

POSTED: 09-22-2009 04:20 PM ET | MODIFIED: 09-22-2009 05:38 PM ET
Owner Of Former Kennel Admits To Animal Cruelty


The owner of a kennel closed by authorities during a raid in June has pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to animals and several violations of the state's dog law. Derbe Eckhart, who operated the Almost Heaven Kennel in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, will be sentenced on November 16.

A judge has also ordered Eckhart to undergo a psychological evaluation at his expense. The charges actually stem from a raid on the Almost Heaven Kennel in October, 2008, according to officials with the District Attorney's office. They say the state dog law violations are subsequent charges from earlier this year when Eckhart continued to have an excess number of dogs on his property after his license renewal was denied.

Last month, Eckhart waived his right to a preliminary hearing on more than 200 counts of violating the state dog law that stem from the raid in June. He was also fined $152,900. More than 200 dogs were seized during the raid. They were later put up for adoption at various shelters around the state.

WATCH VIDEO HERE
http://wfmz.img.entriq.net/htm/PopUpPlayer-v3.htm?articleID=1271144

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Vindication at last. Even if he gets 10 years it won't be enough. Although he deserves so much worse for all the abuse those animals suffered at his hands. This is a good day.

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