Andrea Rosebrock 
The Erasmus, PA puppy mill, Almost Heaven Kennel, was again denied a 2009 kennel license. Hallelujah!
In October of 2008 Derbe “Skip” Eckhart’s kennel or more appropriately, puppy mill, which goes by the disturbing name of “Almost Heaven” was raided after months of undercover investigation. The scene could only be described as hell, rather than the heaven the name implies. Deplorable conditions; animals in their own waste, sick, neglectd and malnourished as well as dead dogs, cats, and more.
Eckhart, who has violations dating back more than 2 decades, had his kennel license revoked at the time. Since then he has been in and out of court trying to get his license back and trying to get his 2009 kennel license.
In January the Dept. of Ag denied his 2009 kennel license and in February Eckhart was banned from buying, selling and breeding dogs.
In the latest chapter of this saga, state secretary of agriculture this week upheld a ruling denying a 2009 kennel license to Derbe ”Skip” Eckhart.
“The secretary’s decision to uphold the license refusal will hopefully mean a swift end to Almost Heaven kennel and will help ensure that the owner never operates a kennel in Pennsylvania again,” said Jessie Smith, the state’s special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement. “Mr. Eckhart did not make the dogs’ welfare a priority in running his kennel and his continued refusal to follow the limitations placed on him since his license was refused makes it clear that closing his kennel is the best course of action.”
He has 30 days to appeal this latest decision, which of course he will do. This is a man who will not be happy unless he is torturing animals and reaping profits off their neglected and abused bodies. Must give him some sick thrill. There’s no question that he’s in this for the love of animals, not with his cruel background. I think he should just be subject to the same condition he forces animals to live in and see how he fares.
The sad thing is Eckhart still has animals and seems to still be in business to one degree or another. What is it gonna take to shut this bastard down for good?!
[Eckhart's lawyer] noted a federal lawsuit filed by the Professional Dog Breeders Council, an association of 325 dog breeders based in Royersford, Montgomery County. According to an agreement after that complaint was filed, the department lifted a ban prohibiting Eckhart from selling dogs. He is prohibited from buying or bringing more dogs into the kennel.
On May 1, a district judge ordered Eckhart to face trial on charges of violating terms of his kennel license refusal order, which barred him from operating a boarding kennel, among other restrictions. Eckhart was found to be boarding dogs on Feb. 11 when state dog wardens inspected the kennel, the department said.
In the latest kennel inspection, inspectors on March 16 found four dogs that showed signs of illness or lameness out of 348 in the kennel. Eckhart was ordered to get medical treatment for the animals. (The Morning Call)
The dogs just can’t win… 
So, what will it take to really stop this guy from breeding animals? It sounds like he’s still in business despite losing his license.
What is he doing with 348 animals? Sounds like disaster for the animals left in his so-called care. I didn’t even know that someone could keep that many animals in one place. No way that anyone can take proper care of that many unless they have a full staff. Why do people look at dogs and cats as only an “animal”?
Bastard’s only in it for the almighty buck. What a POS he is. Yea…I have to wonder what he’s doing with 348 animals as well? What’s up with that? How can he have ANY animals if he’s been proven cruel to them and his license is no longer? I don’t get it! I hope he walks out in the street and gets struck by lightning and drops dead! A true sign from God….that He is unhappy with this worthless POS human as well.
The only way to stop these kind of human animals is to get rid of them, one way or the other. I vote for the other. The law doers not protect the innocents, only the ones who commit the crimes. Money pays the way for these people to continue.
This whole situation bothered me over the weekend, and cannot fathom someone having 348 animals. How in the hell can anyone pay for the vaccinations for all of these animals?
I hope, like Jessie, that this man is struck down. He is a worthless example of a human being with no care or love of animals of any kind. All he gives a damn about is that almighty dollar.
Susie, it bothers me too. I cannot figure out what he’s doing with then either since he has no license or anything and is not suppose to be breding or buying…. And yes, he needs to be shut down quick…. in a big way!
D.
I received e-mail from ASPCA that this so-called breeder,
Kathy Bauck, notorious former owner of Pick of the Litter kennel, had over 1000 animals. I cannot comprehend that at all. If people would not purchase a puppy, adopted from shelters, these low-life puppy-mill owners would go out of business. It is horrible how people can benefit from a living being’s suffering. What this Bauck did was transfer ownership to her family so the puppy mill can continue.
My question to that is that the state allowed this license to be processed? Are they also looking at the almighty dollar and not the health and welfare of all the animals there? Oh how this bugs the hell out of me. Wish I was in the profession where I could shut these types of people down forever!