HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The state's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has shut down a kennel operating illegally without a license in Franklin County after learning the owner was hoarding 68 rare New Guinea Singing Dogs.
Additionally, the dogs were unlicensed and not vaccinated against rabies, as required by the Dog Law and Rabies Act.
After receiving information on the bureau's tip line and investigating, wardens entered the Willow Hill, Fannett Township, property on Oct. 13, and served owner Randy A. Hammond with a cease-and-desist order.
Hammond, who is cooperating with authorities, will keep 10 of the dogs, all of which are being spayed or neutered. Anyone who has 25 or fewer dogs is not required to possess a state kennel license.
"Animal hoarding situations are often difficult to address because the owners may be in denial about conditions," said Jessie Smith, the state's special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. "Thanks to a tip received by the bureau, wardens were able to act swiftly to investigate, cite the owner and make arrangements to move the dogs."
The bureau has filed three charges against Hammond, including: operating without a license, failure to license individual dogs and failure to vaccinate dogs against rabies. If convicted, Hammond faces fines of up to $1,100.
Wardens are now working with New Guinea Singing Dog International in Marengo, Ill., the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society in Fernandina Beach, Fla., Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, the Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Better Days Animal League of Shippensburg, Cumberland County, and local veterinarians to spay, neuter and vaccinate the dogs and transport them from the property..." More
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