Dogs’ deaths spur outrage

Finger Lakes Times:

ROMULUS - It’s a case that’s caused a wave of reaction near and afar.

In July, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, the owner of the Black Diamond Acres dog breeding kennel admitted to an animal health inspector that he took the lives of 93 dogs in his care by poisoning them with carbon monoxide generated by a small gas engine.

Exhaust fumes from the engine were piped into a small enclosure inside the barn where the dogs were kept, the report said.

David Yoder, a member of the area’s growing Amish population, had been in the business of producing small breed dogs for the past few years.

****

Romulus Town Supervisor David Kaiser quickly reacted to the situation that has drawn national attention.

“Like most of our community, I am outraged by these allegations. This story is a horrible reminder that state and federal oversight of these facilities is incredibly lax and may cause needless suffering to innocent animals,” Kaiser said.

“Several years ago [the town] took the initiative to regulate dangerous puppy mills, by enacting a new zoning law that required breeders to treat animals humanely. That law has been used by other communities as a model to fight the public health threats caused by mistreated pets. Our town will continue to push for fair treatment for our companion animals,” he said.

Town Attorney Steven Getman will be consulted to determine whether any violations of the town’s zoning law occurred...Kaiser said.