Animal abuser's property raided again

PENNSYLVANIA -- SPCA officials and state police were on Derbe Eckhart's Upper Milford Township property Saturday, four days after Eckhart, who was convicted of animal cruelty in 2010, was charged with violating his probation by hoarding animals.

On Monday, parole officers visiting his former Almost Heaven Kennel at 4202 Chestnut St. discovered more than 200 animals, authorities have said.

Eckhart (aka Derbe "Skip" Eckhart) was released from prison 18 months ago after serving 9-1/2 months for cruelty to animals.

Under the terms of his probation, he is permitted only to have some personal pets, though it's not clear how many and specifically what type of animals he's allowed.

Eckhart has had a state menagerie permit since 2008, before the animal cruelty violations were discovered, that allows him to have monkeys.

The probation office said it found three monkeys in addition to 177 birds, including 30 chickens, five peacocks, two turkeys and two geese; 22 horses, including Clydesdales; four goats; three donkeys; and too many cats to count, according to a news release issued this week by Lehigh County's court administrator.

It's not clear why the SPCA and state police were on the property Saturday.

Rebecca Glenn-Dinwoodie of the SPCA declined to comment about the investigation. She said officials would provide details at a later time.

A neighbor said authorities arrived Saturday morning, followed by newspaper and television reporters.

She said she hoped the current enforcement effort would be more successful than the previous prosecution of Eckhart, whose property has been the source of unease in the area for years.

No hearing date has been set for Eckhart on the probation violation. He is free on $10,000 bail.

(Allentown Morning Call - Sept 21, 2013)