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Case #8813 Rating: 3.7 out of 5
Puppy mill closed for 3 years
Quarryville, PA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 16, 2006
County: Lancaster
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Aaron K. Lapp
A Quarryville man accused of neglecting dogs has agreed to close his kennel for three years. Authorities seized three dogs from the kennel owned by Aaron L. Lapp, who was charged with cruelty to animals and failing to maintain sanitary and humane conditions at the 355 Hopkins Mill Road kennel. Lapp pleaded guilty May 16, 2006 before District Judge Staurt Mylin to one count of failing to keep a kennel in sanitary and humane conditions and failing to pay a $130 fine. Lapp also agreed to plead guilty June 21, 2006, to three counts of cruelty to animals and pay $1,083 in veterinary bills. He has 60 days after submitting the guilty pleas to place the dogs with other owners.
A cockapoo, Jack Russell terrier and dachshund were seized March 16, 2006. The dogs suffered from a variety of ailments including hookworms, ear infections, boil-type lesions and hernia. The dogs since have been adopted. Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson negotiated the guilty pleas and agreement with Lapp to close the kennel.
Michael Winters, a Lancaster-based attorney, represented Lapp. "The agreement prohibits Mr. Lapp from owning dogs other than a few personal pets for three years," Wilson said. "During that time, he is expected to correct the problems which have existed at the kennel in previous months."
Lapp had 51 dogs at the kennel when Rick Burd, state Bureau of Dog Law enforcement director, conducted an inspection March 13, 2006.
Lapp was selling the dogs to dealers from pet stores. Burd discovered Lapp was keeping the dogs in wire cages filled with feces that injured and infected their paws. The dogs also had sores on their feet and matted fur. Burd reported the violations to Pennsylvania Farm Sanctuary Humane Society police Officer Keith Mohler. Mohler and a veterinarian visited the kennel March 16, 2006 and examined the dogs.
The Jack Russell had dislocated kneecaps; the 6-week-old dachshund had a hernia because of intestine and bladder obstructions; and the adult male cockapoo had a severe case of hookwarms, matted hair and yeast bacteria in both ears. "The dogs seized were in pretty bad condition and imminent risk of death," Wilson said. "The message this case should send is that kennel owners are going to be held accountable for poor conditions."
The animal cruelty case was the second Mohler investigated against Lapp since 2002. Lapp later pleaded guilty to the summary charges. "I hope this case will be the beginning of a working relationship between the bureau of dog law enforcement and humane officers," Mohler said. "Together we can begin to address the puppy mill problem." References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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