top of page

ALL POSTS

- New Jersey, USA -

 

The Mahwah Police Department arrested 57-years-old RICHARD A. DUBARTON III (pictured).

 

DUBARTON is the owner and operator of Aranwood Kennels on 100 Stag Hill Road in Mahwah and the animal control officer of Essex County.

 

It all started on February 19, 2024, when a customer who was picking up their dog from Aranwood Kennels, heard a whimpering coming from the outside dumpster and alerted the police.

 

According to the press release by Mahwah Police, officers found a dog, a Dutch Shepherd, in a plastic bag who appeared to be malnourished and near death. When police advised DUBARTON of this, he claimed “someone must have dumped the dog there.”

The Voiceless Victim was taken to a nearby animal hospital.

 

The Mahwah Police Department’s Animal Humane officers launched an investigation and learned that for some reason, the dog’s original guardian had turned the dog over to the Irvington Police Department and that Irvington Police later gave the dog to DUBARTON, the animal control officer for Irvington.

 

Officials obtained and executed a search warrant at DUBARTON’s property that led to thirty-seven (37) dogs being taken away. The Voiceless Victims were all vetted and temporarily given to local rescues.

 

Police said that all the jurisdictions in the state that employ DUBARTON as an animal control officer were contacted and advised of what occurred at Aranwood Kennels.

 

On February 22, 2024, DUBARTON was charged with exposure of an animal to adverse conditions, failure to provide necessary care to an animal, failure to provide sanitary environment for an animal, failure to provide access to water to an animal, and failure to provide medical care to an animal resulting in serious bodily injury.

DUBARTON is scheduled to appear at Bergen County Superior Court on March 8, 2024.

 

The City of Plainfield wrote in a Facebook post: “The City of Plainfield and relevant departments are aware of the recent charges against an Aranwood Kennel employee. We're collaborating closely to prioritize our animals' welfare and are staying apprised of the next steps for Aranwood Kennels, including sourcing alternative solutions. Updates will be provided to the public as the situation progresses.”

 

On a separate note, according to an article by Daily Voice published on February 4, 2011, DUBARTON who at the time was a Fair Lawn Animal Control Officer, was fired “for posting a video on YouTube showing an albino cobra whose bite left a man close to death.”

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should such sources report an update.

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.

  


Additional Sources:




- Massachusetts, USA -



~ Update: September 15, 2022


NBC Boston reports that APRIL BERNHARDT (pictured), was released on a $3,000 bail after her arraignment.




~ Original story:


The Rowley Police Department announced that 40-years-old APRIL BERNHARDT, owner of Hydrant Regency dog kennel, has been charged with forty counts of animal cruelty following an investigation conducted by multiple agencies.


In a press release police said that on Saturday, August 27, 2022, officers responded to a report of four goats walking on Route 1 and worked with Animal Control to round them up.


Police and Animal Control determined that the goats had roamed away from the Hydrant Regency on 104 Newburyport Turnpike in Rowley so Animal Control took the goats back. Officers noticed “some concerning issues at the kennel, which led to a follow-up investigation by Rowley Police and Animal Control in collaboration with the MSPCA and Animal Rescue League of Boston” said police.

The FBI's Evidence Response Team also joined the investigation last week, helping to search the property for evidence of dead dogs.


Police said Hydrant Regency has been closed since August 29, 2022.

Animals who were being housed on the property have been returned to their guardians, while the goats are in the custody of the MSPCA.


A post published on August 31, 2022, on Hydrant Regency’s Facebook page read: “Sorry for the delay in responding but we've had a lot of things going on here at The Hydrant Regency. Until Further notice the Hydrant Regency is closed due to kennel improvements. We have an electrical issue that needs immediate attention. Once this has been addressed, we will be back open for business. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”

On Wednesday, September 14, BERNHARDT turned herself in to Rowley Police and was booked at the police station.

BERNHARDT is charged with thirty-nine counts of animal cruelty by custodian and one count of animal cruelty. Police said her arraignment was scheduled to take place later in the day in Newburyport District Court.


WCVB reports that at the arraignment hearing “prosecutors said 37 dogs were found in wire crates in a metal storage trailer without air conditioning and the temperature was 90.6 degrees. The dogs did not have access to water, and some larger dogs were in crates they were unable to stand or turn around in.”


According to WCVB, “The court said a former customer reported one of his dogs died while at the kennel, and a veterinarian said the dog showed signs of dehydration and heat stroke.”


BERNHARDT’s defense attorney said the town animal control officer has worked with Hydrant Regency for years and during the time there were not any reports of abuse, neglect or cruelty.

The attorney also pointed out that when the animal control officer conducted two welfare checks in late August, they did not see any signs of abuse or neglect and the animals did not show any signs of distress.


BERNHARDT was held on a $3,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on October 14, 2022.

The judge said BERNHARDT cannot own or possess any animals or operate any kennel while the case is pending.


Police did not mention in the press release whether any deceased dogs were found.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




Additional Sources:






Subscribe Form

© 2025 Voice For Us
bottom of page