- New York, USA -
The SPCA Westchester announced that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, arrested PENELOPE SMITH-BERK (pictured via Facebook), and charged her with five counts of animal cruelty.
BERK, founder of Rescue Right on 402 Old Post Road in Bedford and owner of Northwind Kennels in Bedford, was taken into custody on July 17, 2024, but the incident that ultimately led to her arrest dates back to October 2023.
In a press release, the SPCA Westchester said that on October 3, 2023, they were alerted “by several witnesses to a dire situation regarding 4 sick Bernese Mountain Dog puppies who were being denied proper medical care at Rescue Right in Northwind Kennels.”
The following day, HLE and state Health Department officials visited the kennel and discovered all four puppies, and their mom, Annabelle, were “suffering and in critical condition”, stated the release. The release goes on to say, “One of the puppies could barely breathe and was nonresponsive.”
Officials immediately rushed Annabelle and her babies to a private veterinary hospital where all five were diagnosed with Distemper Virus.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s description, “Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs.”
Sadly, mom and babies were all euthanized. One of the puppies was euthanized upon arrival at the hospital as he/she was “too far gone to be saved”, explained the SPCA Westchester.
Annabelle and her other three babies were euthanized days later “to prevent further suffering.”
As further explained by the SPCA Westchester, the disease “is highly preventable with proper vaccinations and timely medical care. If the dogs had not been denied veterinary treatment, their outcome could have been very different.”
According to the SPCA Westchester, Annabelle originated from an Amish Pennsylvania puppy mill and was brought to Rescue Right along with an unneutered male Bernese Mountain. Anabelle was not spayed and she was subsequently impregnated.
On July 18, 2024, SMITH-BERK appeared at Bedford Town Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Rescue Right’s Facebook page, a recent post read:
“To everyone who follows our rescue organization:
For months now, I have been the target of false and damaging rumors. These attacks have led to the filing of misdemeanor charges in Bedford Justice Court. I have pled not guilty and intend to vigorously contest these charges. I have rescued, cared for, and adopted out thousands of animals over the years, making enormous personal sacrifices to do so. To the many people who have reached out to me today, I'm grateful for your support.
I will not be commenting further.
Thank you.”
SMITH-BERK’s next court date is set for August 28, 2024.
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a press release by the SPCA Westchester. Link included. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.
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What a horrible human you are Penelope Smith-Berk! You are the reason five precious souls lost their lives! You & the damn Amish puppy mills! I detest any & all puppy mills. Rest now Annabelle & all your babies. I’m so sorry you all were failed miserably in your short lives.