Jul 25, 2018 3 min read

The owner of an Amwell Township animal rescue cited by state dog wardens for operating a kennel without a license was given 10 days by a district judge to reduce the number of dogs on her property to three.

Brandy Ellerman, 45, of 592 Lone Pine Road, was cited by different dog wardens in June 2017 and again in June 2018 for failing to obtain a kennel license to operate Hound Haven, a rescue for hound breeds. She told District Judge Ethan Ward she brings in dogs from other states such as Kentucky and West Virginia and works to improve their health so they can be adopted.

Ellerman told Ward Tuesday during a scheduled summary trial on the charges she planned to plead guilty because she had two more dogs than the limit at which a person is required by the state to have a kennel license. But Ward told her he was concerned about what was needed to really solve the problem.

Amwell Supervisor Wayne Montgomery said the township ordinance limits the number of dogs on a property to three. He told Ward he has been getting complaints for some time about the property. Residents have complained about the odor of feces and constant barking.

State dog warden Steven S. Stoehr, who along with dog warden John Sheldon filed the charges against Ellerman, told Ward a kennel license is required for any establishment that has 25 dogs come through during a year. He said Ellerman had more than 60 come through the kennel in 2016 and more than 30 in 2017.

Dog warden Thomas Wherry, a supervisor in the state dog warden office, told Ward the outside portion of Ellerman’s property would not pass a kennel inspection. He said he had not been inside her house because there was no kennel application.

When Ellerman suggested sending some of the dogs to foster homes, both Wherry and Stoehr said that was not a workable solution because she still would be responsible for their care. Both said the dogs have special needs, requiring care most animal rescues could not handle.

Ward said he would continue the hearing to allow Ellerman to reduce the number of dogs, and he asked her if she would comply.

“I would not be happy about it,” Ellerman said, adding 10 of the dogs might have to be euthanized.

Ward told her she had 10 days to reduce the number of dogs on her property to three. Stoehr estimated there currently are about two dozen dogs there.

“I have to stress to you, take this seriously,” Ward told Ellerman. “You do not want to come back here and not be in compliance. I do not take this lightly.”

Ward said he would have a state constable check the number of dogs on her property prior to the next hearing, which is set for Aug. 6.