Dog wardens and members of Washington Township Police on Wednesday removed all 29 live dogs and one dead dog from the premises.
Dog law charges against the owner, Donna Cook, are pending. Any charges for animal cruelty would be filed by police.
Cook, who lives at of 12293 Pen Mar Road, was cited in 2001 for cruelty and operating a kennel without a license.
Acting on information provided by a visitor to the kennel, dog wardens and police officers secured search warrants to investigate potential kennel and cruelty violations. The agents found dogs and other animals living in filthy conditions, including cages stacked four high and filled with feces, maggots and moldy food.
The dogs -- papillons, Yorkies and poodle mixes -- as well as several cats and birds, were immediately removed by the Antietam Humane Society of Waynesboro.
According to the state Department of Agriculture, the dogs were matted and dirty, and several appeared to have eye and ear infections. The animals will all be examined and receive veterinary care.
Jessie Smith, the state' s special deputy for dog law, said any kennel with more than 26 dogs per year must obtain a license and be inspected annually.
"Unlicensed kennels are difficult to regulate because they are often intentionally secretive about their operation," Smith said...." More
