Pennsylvania: Amish puppy mill operator Amos King charged with Animal Cruelty; Aaron King and Curvin Weaver convicted of Animal Cruelty

PENNSYLVANIA -- Animal-control officers raided a Quarryville kennel last week, seizing seven dogs and charging the owner with cruelty.

Amos S. King is charged with two counts of animal cruelty for neglecting the medical care of the dogs, particularly their teeth, police said.

King also was ordered to comply with an officer's conditions or risk having the kennel shut down.

Also last week, two local men were convicted of mistreating dogs in separate cases:

Curvin Weaver, of Ephrata, pleaded guilty Friday to attempting to neuter his Jack Russell mix.

Aaron L. King, of Peach Bottom, was convicted at a summary trial of neglecting his Sheltie after it was struck by a car and seriously injured.

At Amos King's kennel at 1096 Mount Pleasant Road, Humane Society Officer Keith Mohler reported he found numerous dogs in poor health, including seven that were seized. Among the breeds found were Chihuahuas, Yorkies and Schnauzers.

Mohler said he ordered King to make veterinarian appointments for 16 other dogs.

In all, Mohler found about 50 dogs, including 20 puppies, at the Amish farm.

King has made those appointments and is cooperating with officials, Mohler said.

"His intention is to plead guilty," Mohler said.

• Weaver, 42, of Pool Road, pleaded guilty after a passer-by found his Jack Russell mix last month with obvious injuries.

The dog, which Mohler said was "close to death," was taken to a local vet for emergency surgery. 

Mohler traced the dog to Weaver, who admitted to attempting to neuter the dog with an elastic band.

Weaver pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and was charged the maximum $750 fine, Mohler said.

Weaver also paid $803 for the surgery, plus court costs.

Weaver relinquished custody of the dog, now under the care of West Earl Township police.

• District Judge Stuart Mylin convicted Aaron King of neglecting his Sheltie, "Trixie," after it was struck by a car and crippled.

King didn't take the dog to the vet even though one leg was broken in the accident, Mohler said.

"It was a three-legged dog," Mohler said, citing the severe injury.

King, of Little Britain Church Road, was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs. However, King refused to forfeit the dog, so it remains under his care.

(Lancaster New Era  - Feb 04, 2013)