New 17 member Dog Law Enforcement Team

Rendell's New 17 member Dog Law Enforcement Team

The new DLE replaces the old Department of Agriculture Dog Bureau. What will they do? They will regulate how dogs are bred, kept and sold in Pennsylvania.

First of all, Governor Rendell’s proposed 55 page piece of legislation would strengthen animal cruelty penalties. The DLE could issue civil penalties for violations that will be subject to administrative hearings, rather than be heard in the judicial branch. The DLE's prosecutor would represent ACOs in an administrative law court with the approval of the local district attorney.

ACOs could seize dogs at will and charge the owners with cruelty, neglect, etc. according to their subjective judgement. Owners would be responsible for impound fees pending the civil hearing which are quite high. Does that mean there will be sweeping changes in the ranks of the old PDA dog wardens?

Few people fight these kinds of cases (1) because of the inflated holding costs and (2) because of attorney's fees. Both of these financial burdens continue to escalate as the case drags on. Generally, the defendant/victim gives into implied threats of high fines and jail fees and decides it is easier to forfeit the animals.

Under the proposed statutes, kennel owners would pay a surety bond prior to receiving a license. If dogs are seized from an unlicensed kennel, that kennel would have to post bond before taking any legal action. Of course, any owner charged with cruelty will have their license revoked and be unable to receive a new one.

Cage size will be doubled for all dog owners BUT NOT FOR humane societies. Many more specific and detailed requirements for indoor and outdoor kennels are proposed and will be enacted unless dog owners get involved and voice their objections. However, when groups like the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs were excluded from discussions on proposed changes, it certainly appears the fix is in.

Who are They?
The special deputy secretary for the new DLE is Harrisburg resident, Jessie Smith. ASPCA-approved Smith is the new liaison with the public, dog welfare groups, municipalities and courts. Smith has experience working in the state attorney's general's office and until recently, she served as president of the Humane Society of Harrisburg.

Additionally, the Governor appointed Jeffrey Paladina the special prosecutor for dog law enforcement. Paladina was, until recently, the assistant district attorney in Beaver County. His new duties will include civil animal forfeiture cases and administrative appeals of kennels that have had their licenses revoked. Paladina plans to be very involved in the state's proposed crackdown on unlicensed kennels. Paladina now resides in Harrisburg with his family.

This is a one-two punch aimed at the rights of every commercial dog breeder in Pennsylvania. The animal rights crowd is rejoicing while savvy dog owners should be very very worried. Rendell has made it just too darned easy for these two people to have too much power and influence.

“Governor Rendell’s decisive actions are a great example for other lawmakers who are trying to improve animal welfare conditions in their states and communities,” babbles Bob Baker, a consultant to the ASPCA on anti-cruelty and animal welfare issues. Well, Robert O. "Bob" Baker does not own and operate a commercial kennel nor is he an impartial bystander. Baker was formerly chief investigator of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and is now VP of CAPS - the Companion Animal Society. He claims to be the top puppy mill investigator in the country.

We should mention that Deborah Howard, president and co-founder of CAPS, has a great deal of media experience. Prior to CAPS, she ran an Atlanta-based public relations agency. Howard was formerly with Porter/Novelli -- the lead PR agency with the Omnicom Group --in San Francisco and has worked with newspapers and news services all over the country, such as the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free News, The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, and Dallas Morning News. Her numerous magazine placements include Life, People, U.S. News & World Report, Consumers Digest, Rolling Stone, Elle, Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Better Homes & Gardens, Working Woman and Entrepreneurial Woman. Howard has also worked as a radio news reporter and anchorwoman. She is a graduate of New College of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Political Science and has a law degree from Santa Clara University.

Can you say Means, Motive and Opportunity?
Free Dogs for All - Except for the Commercial Breeder

Free the Dogs from the puppy mills. Free dogs for the Humane League of Lancaster County. Free dogs for the Humane Society of Harrisburg. Free dogs for the Chester County SPCA. Free Dogs to the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter. Free dogs for Main Line Rescue. Who will oversee and prevent this vast conflict of interest and corruption?

The Humane League of Lancaster County reported $5,077,248 in net assets during 2004. Sue West, the president, is also an appointee to Rendell's DLE and was very vocal in the press in support of the new DLE. Nancy Gardner is the president of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and another appointee.

Other Appointees include:
Dr. Ilana Reisner, a dog behaviorist and director of the Behavior Clinic at the University. Reisner attended the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where she completed a residency in animal behavior as a Morris Animal Foundation Fellow. She is past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the on-line behavioral consultant for the Veterinary Information Network.

Dr. Charles Newton - School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and Deputy Associate Dean, University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine is also on the DLE. He is the acting director of CART - the Philadelphia County Animal Response Team. SART is based on the principals of the Incident Command System developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, and involves a coordinated effort of government, corporate and animal organizations. SART's structure is organized on the grassroots level with County Animal Response Teams (CART). CARTs include local professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens.

We will provide contact information for these remaining members of the DLE. Perhaps they will be willing to impartially listen and act on our behalf.

John Gibble – President, NE Beagle Gundog Federation
Ms. Douglas Newbold – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Larry Breech – PA Farmers Union
Kristina Watson – PA Farm Bureau
Mary Remer – first vice president, Bull Terrier Club of America
Linda Lowney – Town and Country Kennel Inc.
Kim Kraemer – District manager, Pet Smart
Harold Stoneberger – Owner, Central Penn Hunting Clays
Cynthia Miller – American Kennel Club
Janet Mawhinney PA Sheep & Wool Growers Association
John Weinstein – Allegheny County Treasurer
Capt. Kenny O’Brien – K-9 Unit, Philadelphia Police Department