Almost Heaven operator faces 3-year sentence
Derbe “Skip” Eckhart, former operator of Pennsylvania’s Almost Heaven Kennel, faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty in Lehigh County Court yesterday to animal cruelty and multiple dog law violations.
Eckhart also faces fines of up to $7,500 under a plea agreement reached with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office.
The kennel in Upper Milford Township was shut down in June.
Eckhart pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty, three counts of violating a cease and desist order and failing to remove 216 dogs from the kennel after the period to appeal his denied operating license expired, the Allentown Morning Call reported.
Prosecutor Jay Jenkins said that under the agreement, Eckhart does not intend to be involved in any other kennel, but would like to keep some of his personal animals and continue working as a groomer at a Fogelsville business.
Judge Robert L. Steinberg will determine that, and Eckhart’s sentence, at a Nov. 16 hearing.
Posted by jwoestendiek September 23rd, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: agreement, almost heaven, animal cruelty, court, derbe, dog law, dogs, eckhart, fine, hearing, kennel, lehigh county, license, pennsylvania, plea, sentence, upper milford township
