by KYW's Tony Romeo
Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary says legislation stalled in the state House would have saved 80 dogs that were slaughtered by the owners of two kennels in Berks County.
The state Department of Agriculture says it inspected one of two kennels owned by Ammon and Elmer Zimmerman of Kutztown, Berks County in late July. They noted several violations of kennel sanitation and maintenance, and ordering veterinary exams for 39 dogs with fleas and fly sores.
But rather than pay the costs, the Agriculture Department says the Zimmermans decided to shoot all 80 of their dogs.
Under current Pennsylvania law, commercial breeders are allowed to kill their dogs for any reason they see fit -- even to simply save money.
The Zimmermans have surrendered their kennel licenses.
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff says the slaughter of their dogs is “saddening” and makes a compelling case for passage of a bill to update Pennsylvania’s dog law.
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