May 13, 2021 - Quakertown, PA
Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer was at Willow Spring Kennels in Bucks County to discuss the sad situation facing Pennsylvania dogs due to inaction to raise dog license fees. State Representative Frank Farry, scheduled to join the event was unfortunately unable to attend, but expressed his support for legislative action.Dog wardens of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement inspect commercial kennels at least twice a year. Since its inception in 1893, the bureau has been funded mostly with the sale of dog licenses. While the nominal license fee has not been increased in 25 years, the duties of dog wardens have been greatly broadened. Now the bureau is understaffed and barely able to keep up with the minimum required inspections. That is going to lead to the return of puppy mills in Pennsylvania."The majority of licensed commercial kennels give their dogs exceptional care and they rely on publicly available kennel inspections to prove their good work and quality, because, unfortunately, not all kennels meet these high standards," Strathmeyer said. "That is why commercial kennels are required to be inspected a minimum of twice a year. Dog warden inspections assure conditions are safe for the dogs and puppies that live there. The more frequent the oversight, the better conditions for dogs."
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