By Karen Blackledge
MIFFLINBURG -- Veterinarian Danielle Ward expects to improve the lives of Pennsylvania's dogs when she begins to focus most of her time on kennel inspections.
Ward, a veterinarian for 12 years, inspects kennels Fridays for the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement of the state Agriculture Department.
She expects to become a full-time inspector within the next several months. She will be the first full-time veterinarian hired to inspect kennels licensed for 26 or more dogs.
"I have always felt powerless to do anything about the puppy mill puppies and dogs I've see in private practice," said Ward, who sold her Mifflinburg practice to Lewisburg Veterinary Hospital. "This job allows me to take action on behalf of those dogs and give them a much-needed voice. It has always been a passion of mine to help homeless and neglected dogs."
Her salary hasn't been negotiated yet because she isn't working full time.
"Dog wardens inspect kennel conditions and for proof of rabies vaccinations. The state felt they needed a vet to see it through different eyes and for the health of the animals," she said.
She said the term "puppy mill" is used to describe multiple dogs housed in less than ideal conditions that are being bred and sold for profit.
The state's new kennel law tightens requirements for kennel operators, and Ward expects some kennels to close before the law takes effect Oct. 9.
"The new law doesn't allow for wire floors, increases the size of cages, requires daily exercise for so many hours, a vet check every year and cages can't be stacked anymore," she said.
Another change is that kennel operators cannot euthanize dogs on their own. A veterinarian has to do it.
A spokesman at the dog law enforcement office in Harrisburg said some kennels have already closed because they didn't want to make the improvements.
"We are not seeing an exodus of kennels. The law will really have an impact on the large kennels," he said.
Currently, there are 2,674 licensed kennels in Pennsylvania.
Dog Law Enforcement Bureau Director Sue West said large commercial kennels are the ones that will be required to make the major changes.
If a large kennel doesn't comply with the new rules, it could receive an unsatisfactory rating, which may result in a citation.
Kennels can request a time extension to make the changes. "They should be submitting waivers now if it is a hardship," she said.
If kennels close, a Safe Harbor Program encourages veterinarians to work with shelters to find homes for the displaced dogs, she said.
The old law allowed kennels to keep dogs in cramped, stacked cages with no opportunity to exercise and little care.
In announcing the new law, Gov. Edward Rendell said the improvements will help ensure the pets that families welcome into their homes will be happier and healthier.
Ward expects her new job will include lobbying the state House of Representatives and state Senate once "it becomes clear what is needed."
While the state agency didn't allow the Lewisburg resident to have a reporter accompany her on an inspection, she discussed what she has seen on visits, mainly to Lancaster County, since assuming the job Feb. 6.
Many of the health problems are caused by overcrowding and lack of cleanliness, she said.
During a recent inspection, she saw a dog shake its head maybe 50 times in a short period.
"I knew there was something wrong with its ears. The odor from the ears was tremendous. I ordered a vet check on the dog," she said.
At another kennel, she observed a listless puppy that wasn't gaining weight and skin problems on three dogs. She ordered the kennel to have the dogs checked by its veterinarian.
In those cases, the kennel operator has 72 hours to have the dogs examined. If they don't comply, there is a significant fine.
The majority of health problems she has seen so far are skin conditions. "If it's a mite, it can be contagious and go through the entire kennel," she said.
So far, she has inspected eight kennels with a 750-dog operation being the largest. She has also inspected a pet store with 40 dogs.
"We, at the Department of Agriculture, are all working very hard to change the reputation Pennsylvania has as the puppy mill of the East," she said.
n E-mail comments to kblackledge@dailyitem.com.
