Brenda Abrams called this to my attention. No Berners that we know of but not out of the realm of possibility.A sad story, ironic that he was the Dog Control officer(!!) but cause for hope. Go Gravce!
Linda Seaver & Belline The Journal News A Ganette Newspaper Westchester County, New York ****************************************************** Trial date set for Mahopac puppy shop By BARBARA LIVINGSTON NACKMAN THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: February 21,2003) MAHOPAC — The town of Carmel is intent on shutting down a commercial dog seller operating in a residential area. Beyond zoning infractions, neighbors say the business is an outlet for >Midwest "puppy mills." Armed with photos of trailer trucks with >out-of-state >plates making deliveries to Puppy Club Kennels, neighbors have argued that owner Richard Doyle sells often sickly dogs pulled too soon from their >mothers. The town has accused Doyle of violating town codes for making unapproved >building alterations and for operating a business in a noncommercial zone. A jury trial on criminal charges arising from an alleged failure to correct the violations will begin Thursday in Carmel Town Court. Doyle did not want to comment when reached this week. Earlier, he denied the charges, saying that as a longtime professional in the pet industry, he treats animals properly and follows state and local laws. His Austin Road neighbors, he has said, do not like that he is running a business near their homes. The town's code enforcement officer sees it differently. "The retail sale of dogs must cease and desist immediately," Michael Carnazza wrote in an Oct. 3, 2002, notice of violation. Business apparently continues at Puppy Club Kennels, with advertisements appearing this week in a local publication touting 70 new puppies — Yorkshire terriers, poodles and Labrador retrievers — for sale. The town's Zoning Board of Appeals ruled against Doyle, refusing to grant a variance for expansion of buildings on his 275 Austin Road property or for him to sell dogs from that location. A move to overturn the decision was denied by state Supreme Court Justice S. Barrett Hickman on Jan. 30, clearing the way for the town to criminally prosecute Doyle, alleging he violated town zoning codes. "The judge vacated a stay, and we can move forward with these violations that have been reported," Supervisor Frank Del Campo said.Greg Folchetti is prosecuting the case for the town. Doyle, who once served temporarily as the town's dog-control officer, has said the sale of dogs has taken place on the property since 1935 and is a pre-existing use that was upheld in 1974 and 1989 zoning board decisions.Doyle, who does not live at the site, purchased it in 1991. "We are doing everything we are allowed to do and have made no structural additions," said attorney William Shilling of Curtiss, Leibell & Shilling of Carmel, who represents Doyle. Last week, Shilling requested a review by the Appellate Division Second Department of the state Supreme Court. He said he also planned to file paperwork asking to reargue the case before Hickman. Dr. Brian Green, director of the Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital since 1981,said he supported the zoning board's decision to shut down Doyle's operation. Green said this week that he had treated more ill puppies and more with congenital abnormalities that were sold from Doyle's kennel than from any other retailer in the region. Green wrote a Nov. 9 letter to town officials disclosing his findings. Paperwork accompanying the dogs he's treated from the Mahopac kennel documents that the animals were bred in Kansas, Missouri,Montana, Oklahoma or Arkansas, Green said, and are "almost always from Midwest 'puppy mills.' '' "It is heartbreaking and frightening that this is allowed to continue," said Green, a veterinarian for 23 years. Residents living near the business say what used to be a kennel offering pet grooming and boarding services is now a large-scale dog-selling business. Hundreds of dogs arrive each month, contend neighbors, who complain of the noise and foul smell. They say they are upset about the sale of sickly dogs,who are kept in cramped, dirty cages. Town officials, who were invited to tour the facility in January 2002, found 50 puppies housed two to a cage in a clean building on the 4-acre site. Stacks of dog supplies were kept in a dilapidated red barn, which Doyle had sought to renovate. Neighbors Grace and Christopher O'Toole have lived across the street from the business for 37 years. The couple hired an attorney to shut down the business, saying it perpetuates inhumane treatment of animals. "If called, I will be a witness," Grace O'Toole said of next week's trial."Unfortunately, I have seen what has gone on there for a long time."
