By Kim McDarison
Patricia Rockstroh, a dog breeder in the town of Koshkonong, doing business as Penny Lane Cocker Spaniels, has been charged with a combined total of 39 counts of the misdemeanor charges of “intentional improper animal shelter space,” and “intentional improper shelter ventilation,” according to information provided on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website.
The charges were filed with the court Friday.
Rockstroh, 69, will make an initial appearance in the Jefferson County Circuit Court Wednesday, May 22.
According to the circuit court’s website, 19 Class A misdemeanor counts of improper animal shelter space were brought against the defendant, carrying an offense date of Nov. 13, 2023, along with 20 Class A misdemeanor counts of improper animal shelter ventilation, carrying an offense date of April 4, 2024.
In the state of Wisconsin, a Class A misdemeanor, the most series non-felony charge, carries a punishment of nine months in jail, a fine of $10,000 or both.
Information found on the Fort Atkinson-based Paddy’s Paws Rescue blog, notes that the organization received 25 Cocker Spaniels “during the week of April 22.” The animals were “willingly surrendered to our volunteer-based rescue,” the blog reported. The dogs have been entered into the organization’s foster program to receive care on their way to their forever homes, the blog read.
As earlier reported by Fort Atkinson Online, Town of Koshkonong Board of Supervisors Chairman Kim Cheney said that a property within the town had come under scrutiny as area residents voiced concerns about animals living on a property, which is owned by Rockstroh, and who was operating a dog breeding facility.
During a visit to the property in March, Cheney said she saw five dogs, which she said were owned by the property owner, on the property, and 25 more dogs “in the basement.”
Cheney said that last November, Rockstroh was found by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, to have violated the terms of her dog sellers license by failing to provide proper enclosures and other comforts and care to the animals on her property.
The department’s five-page “conditional stipulation” recounts activities beginning November 13, 2023, at which time, the document stated, Companion Animal Inspector Tony Centracchio and Animal Health Compliance Specialist Julie Phillippi “followed up on a complaint received from Badger Veterinary Hospital.”
The document stated that the “clinic had concerns about the conditions of the dogs and the facility.”
Cenracchio and Phillippi, upon completing an inspection, the document noted, found several violations, including those associated with proper grooming of the animals, safe objects offered to them for play, enclosures that were not large enough for the dogs to comfortably stand, turn around or lie down in, and the kennel did not provide adequate ventilation to provide fresh, filtered air to maintain health and comfort, among other animal care requirements.
After the inspection, the department and the respondent, Rockstroh, agreed, as a basis of settlement of the matter, that the respondent would comply with an administrative order, which stated that the respondent would correct the violations found during the inspection. The respondent signed the document on Feb. 6.
Additionally, the department ordered that “conditions will be placed on the respondent’s dog seller license … for a two-year period, beginning March 25.
During a telephone interview in April, Cheney said after her March visit, and with residents and board members eager to find a solution, Rockstroh was offered what she described as a 30-day “improvement and remediation” plan.
Cheney said she made a subsequent visit to the property in April and found that little had been done to remedy the concerns.
On April 10, Cheney said, she sent a letter to several Jefferson County zoning officials, noting that on March 13, the Koshkonong town board voted against renewing Rockstroh’s kennel license. The letter noted that Rockstroh was notified of the decision by both regular and registered mail on March 28.
The letter noted that the decision was “based on resident complaints,” reports from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, and an onsite visit made by Cheney and another town official, and a sheriff’s deputy.
“During the Department of Agriculture’s onsite visit in November of 2023 and the chairperson’s visit in March of 2024, the conditions noted had not changed,” the letter read.
In her letter, Cheney asked the zoning officials to “immediately revoke the conditional use permit that allows the breeding/housing of dogs on this property. By removing the conditional use permit, the town of Koshkonong may further be able to assist with the relocation of the animals for their health and safety.”
A letter sent by the Department of Agriculture in April to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, stated that the Department of Agriculture’s personnel “have reasonable grounds to believe that dog(s) are being mistreated in violation of (a statute, noting “crimes against animals” is cited)” further noting, “we are required to report it to law enforcement.”
The Department of Agriculture’s letter cited inspections conducted last November and on April 4, noting that “we believe there are reasonable grounds to report that the conditions … constitute violations of (state statute cited).” The letter noted that while the department has the responsibility to inspect and investigate compliance, it does not have the authority to seize or accept the surrender of animals.
In its April letter, the Department of Agriculture went on to document several of the same violations it listed in its conditional stipulation document, following its inspection in November, 2023.
An earlier story about complaints lodged against Rockstroh and conditions reported to various authorities regarding the defendant’s town of Koshkonong property is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/koshkonong-residents-express-upset-over-kennel-town-board-chair-says-process-to-find-solution-is-underway/.
File photo.
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