Animal center closed, citations issued as state investigates depth of problems

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

The Times Tribune - BY ELIZABETH SKRAPITS STAFF WRITER 02/03/2006

DALLAS TOWNSHIP — Things were unusually quiet around Pet Care Associates on Thursday.

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The boarding, grooming and veterinary service facility, off Old Tunkhannock Road, is closed while the state Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement investigates it.

“There are citations being issued, and we do have an investigation continuing into this,” said Rick Burd, the bureau’s director of enforcement.

He said owners Dominick Donovan and Jennifer Barisano are each receiving five citations, alleging they violated state regulations.

Two of the citations are for failure to obtain the necessary kennel licenses, one is for failure to clean and sanitize daily and one is for failure to maintain adequate drainage in the dog quarters.

The fifth is for failure to provide veterinary care, which was ordered to be given to 24 dogs in the kennel within 24 hours.

Magisterial District Judge James Tupper said the citation stated no proof of veterinary care was given, and 12 dogs died. All the citations were filed by state Department of Agriculture dog Warden Ellen Howarth.

Calls to Mr. Donovan and Ms. Barisano were not returned. The violations are summary offenses, Judge Tupper said, that carry fines up to $300.

Client Margaret Grant said she grew concerned when she kept calling Pet Care Associates for several days, trying to obtain veterinary records for her Akita, Niko, but only got the answering machine.

Its message states, “Unfortunately, we will be closed for the next 30 days;” its voice mailbox is full.

Ms. Grant went to the kennel Thursday and found it closed and quiet.

“I didn’t think it was that dirty, but there was a smell to it,” she said of Pet Care Associates.

Several neighbors of Pet Care Associates approached the Dallas Township supervisors on different occasions during the summer of 2005, complaining about the noise and a strong odor at the kennel. A nuisance complaint was filed Sept. 16, but it was dismissed Dec. 1 after Mr. Donovan took measures to keep the noise down, Judge Tupper said.