Photo courtesy the Reading Eagle.
View the WFMZ 69 News video here.
View the Reading Eagle article here.
In just one more case to show that animal cruelty is endemic in the commercial breeding industry, the Humane Society of Berks County has seized 9 dogs out of 111 from another Maxatawny Township commercial breeder. Kennel owner Aaron Burkholder was breeding dogs legally with a kennel license issued by the state at Burkholder Farm Kennel, 460 Bowers Road.
Operating a puppy mill is perfectly legal in the state of Pennsylvania, and only 9 dogs were neglected enough to be taken into custody. These dogs were removed after staff at the Humane Society learned of unacceptable conditions via an inspection report from the state dog warden.
It is reassuring that state and local agencies are working together after the shooting of 80 dogs in the same township approximately a month ago. No charges were filed in that case because shooting your own dog is perfectly legal in the state. (Please view previous entries for the full story.)
To learn more about the cruel industry of commercial breeding, visit:
- United Against Puppy Mills (This link is always present in the side menu!)
- Prisoners of Greed
- North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
- Pennsylvania Dog Law Action (A state-sponsored site.)
Please note that dogs are not the only species to suffer from commercial breeding! Avoid buying ANY pet from a pet store, as these animals are almost always bred in large commercial facilities with conditions similar to a puppy mill. Always seek to adopt or find a reputable breeder!
It really does break my heart. As I have said before, I have a personal vendetta against the Amish and their actions in puppy mills. But most back-water states don’t really have laws for this stuff.
The funny thing is when a tragedy strikes, often times people are just as worried, if not more, about animals than they are people.
I remember when Katrina struck, I wrote a column about it. I have to admit, I was on the same side.
S.
This is one reason why PA has the reputation of being “back-water.”
I was upset at the Katrina situation for multiple reasons. Many displaced people did not receive proper treatment, I agree, but I will avoid going into that since this is a animal blog. I watched animals at my local shelter be euthanized to make room for Katrina animals, only one of which was ever claimed. The shelter had to hold these animals for months, so they occupied kennel space that could have been used to save multiple lives.
The Katrina animals were no more valuable than the local animals they displaced, other than they allowed organizations to have a media presence and solicit funds. No one cares about the local stray cat or the dog dumped because the owner “moved.” They want to help the animals in the news because they are somehow more special. The same happens when there is a big cruelty case.
If only the public knew ALL animals are special. They all deserve the same consideration for donations and adoption.
“Backwater” isn’t hyphenated, you morons. I suppose you’re from some uber-cultured metropolis dripping in opera and tapas, with an burgeoning indie rock scene and an arty cinema house every two blocks? St. Louis, perhaps?
Drinking white zinfandel while watching HGTV doesn’t make you anything but a bourgeouis doofus.
Please pardon me, I have to go fetch my inbred cousin outta the tar pits agin…
I think EZBake kind of missed the point, though as an English major I am thankful for the spelling correction. (Although technically I was correct in typing it that way, since I was quoting. Most appropriate would be “back-water [sic].”)
I am Pennsylvania born and raised, thank you very much. But we do have to recognize that our state does have such a reputation, and at least in this case, we are resisting important progress.
And by the way, I do listen to indie rock and watch arty cinema, but I can also shoot a gun and milk a goat. Sorry cows, I learned on little udders. And no, I don’t own a gun nor do I ever want to, but knowledge has its advantages.
[...] Aaron Burkholder’s kennel license, the permit that allows him to commercially breed dogs at Burkholder Farm Kennels, has been revoked. This action was taken by the state after Burkholder was charged with 9 counts of animal cruelty for failure to properly care for dogs and puppies in his operation. (View the full story in yesterday’s entry.) [...]