http://www.mcall.com/news/local/breaking/all-derbe-fined-0707cn,0,3...


Hefty fines and new charges against kennel owner

2:48 PM EDT, July 7, 2009

The owner of the former Almost Heaven Kennel has been fined $152,900 by the state and is facing more than 200 new charges stemming from the raid and closure of the operation last month.

The state Department of Agriculture says it has fined Derbe "Skip" Eckhart for each dog that he kept at the kennel at 4202 Chestnut St. in Upper Milford Township after he exhausted appeals of his 2009 kennel license denial.

Chris Ryder, an agriculture department spokesman, said the department fined Eckhart $100 a day for seven days for all 216 dogs that should have been removed between June 16 and June 23.

In addition, the department fined Eckhart $100 for each of 17 dogs that it says were transferred out of the kennel after June 6 without the state's approval.

Related links

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Dogs seized from Almost Heaven recooperate in Harrisburg Photos
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Almost Heaven dogs at Pa. State Farm Complex in Harrisburg Video
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250 dogs removed from the Almost Heaven kennel Video

Eckhart was charged this week with 216 counts of violating the state dog law because he failed to remove 216 dogs from the kennel after the his appeal period ended, according to a complaint filed at District Court in Emmaus.

He faces an additional 17 counts of violating a cease and desist order by transferring 17 dogs out of the kennel without approval of the state.

Under the terms of his license denial, Eckhart was not allowed to transfer animals without approval of a dog warden.

Eckhart has 30 days to pay the fine, but also has 15 days to appeal the penalty.

-- Reporting by Patrick Lester, The Morning Call

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If only they could put him in prison, the news would be better!