Dogs Apparently Left to Suffer With Infections in Filth Deserve Justice

Target: Heather L. Adams, District Attorney of Lancaster County, PA

Goal: Punish man accused of keeping dogs with numerous infected wounds in unsafe kennels.

A Pennsylvania clan has allegedly made animal cruelty a family business, all under the not-so-watchful eye of regional authorities. The Esh family’s brushes with potential animal welfare violations date back 25 years and three generations. The latest visit from the state’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) resulted in the seizure of over a dozen dogs, the possible seizure of four dozen more, and animal cruelty charges for Daniel Esh, his wife Verna, and their son Omar.

In the recent incident, inspectors found several dogs on the family’s premises reportedly suffering from numerous infections everywhere from the ears to the paws. The living conditions for these animals were also apparently abysmal. Just a few months prior, Daniel Esh had been prohibited from having any dogs for a year because of previous charges. In fact, over the years this family (including Daniel Esh’s parents) has earned 40-plus citations for animal welfare issues.

What have all of these charges cost the Eshes?  Apparently, the answer is a couple of thousand dollars in fines and not a day in jail. The family has reportedly even operated several kennels simply by changing the kennels’ names when they are shut down. Despite the clear pattern of seeming abuse, the individuals have allegedly talked and pled their way out of any serious or lasting repercussions.

While Daniel and Verna Esh have already had their day in court, their son’s hearing is still upcoming and represents the last opportunity to hold this family to account. Sign the petition below to demand prosecutors seek nothing less than the maximum punishment for this man if he is deemed guilty.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Ms. Adams,

Serial criminals typically operate unhindered because they commit their atrocities in secret and are able to evade capture. In your jurisdiction, however, three alleged serial criminals have reportedly done their worst in full daylight and with the knowledge of authorities. For two-and-a-half decades, the Esh family has faced accusations of animal cruelty no less than 40 times. With every new accusation, these people pledge to change their ways and pay off a paltry sum, the apparent price for continued alleged criminal activity.

This disgrace and utter failure of the legal system must stop now. Omar Esh’s day in court is soon to come. Make accountability and enforcement matter this time. Prosecute with vigilance and seek the strongest possible penalty in the event of a conviction or guilty plea.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Eva Holderegger


86 Comments

  1. Michael Mihalow says:

    Their “brushes with animal welfare go back 25 years” so for 25 years the law failed LIKE IT ALWAYS DOES, what a joke. Just do the same to these pieces of garbage and make them suffer.

  2. Pamela Chattergoon says:

    The “authorities” are never going to do anything. Its up to the common man to dispense the justice. Vigilante style.

    • NO. “Vigilante-style,” not adhering to law, is what is happening in our country now. CHANGE THE LAWS, so that all life, all animals, are treated the same — treat these cruelty acts the same as acts upon humans. PRISON TIME, not fines.

      • Anna Kerruish says:

        Martha, you are absolutely right.

      • Except NOTHING changes. Because PROFIT rules.
        As someone working for these changes for over 40 years, I can tell you that while there have been some improvements (mostly thanks to social media and more people seeing undercover investigations and becoming more aware), it is an extremely difficult battle to get laws changed or improved.
        Should all abuse – whether to humans or animals – be treated with the same degree of severity? OF COURSE. But too many people – including judges and prosecutors – still only give a slap on the wrist to the most egregious crimes against animals while. And if the animals is a farm animal or a bird, FORGET it. They just don’t care.
        So unfortunately, Pamela is sadly right. Vigilante justice really IS the only way to get any true justice for animal abusers.

  3. It seems that people with local power are more important than “dumb animals.” NO THEY AREN’T. ENFORCE your laws, and CHANGE them to be better and fit the crime. I am so damn sick of this across the country and the world! PRISON TIME, NOT FINES — and NEVER allowed to have animals again, no one in that evil family.

  4. These idiots should not be allowed to have any kind of animal ever, probably should Not have had offspring of they’re own, look how he turned out!!!

  5. Janelle Wolves says:

    As do the officials in charge
    They are either taking bribes or on the road progrM. Road is retired on active duty. These officials have no business holding these positions. Makes me wonder how many criminals skate their crimes. And how many of the crimes are against people. Seems all involved are FOBARed. You can look thay acronym up for your self. Also, it why I consider PA to me one state I would NEVER set foot in. Why do the citizens there tolerate such people is beyond me.

  6. Eileen Prince says:

    Who inspects these places? Fire them and hire an organization that can protect and punish scum that are abusing these beautiful innocent helpless animals. These lowlifes belong in jail and never ever be near an animal ever. C’mon do your job that animals never have to suffer!!! Seems this is too difficult for you that you have become a big part of this abuse.

  7. Kelly Kramer says:

    Lancaster County’s Animal Control and Justice System.. You are utter failures in your station to protect animals against generational abusers, The Esh Family.

    I am outraged to read of Lancaster County’s ignorance and leniency to hold repeated, longtime animal neglect and abuse of this degenerate family over 25 years.

    I demand every member of The Esh Family, who possess any animal permit or license, have them permanently revoked, that every member never be allowed to interact with animals again, and all charges against the Esh Family be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law… which by the way are patheticly ineffectual to prohibit animal neglect and abuse.
    You all should be ashamed for your inaction.

  8. Maria Bertrand says:

    Citations and small fines!!!!!!!!! YOU SAID IT IN THE WRITE UP. SERIAL ABUSERS. SO WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED ANY ANIMAL EVER EVER EVER!!!!! SOMEONE DROPPED THE BALL…WHAT A HOLY SURPRISE.

    I HOPE THE GRIM REAPER GIVES THEM A VISIT!!!!!….

    JAIL TIME AND LOTS OF IT NOW!!!! I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH WITH THESE MONSTERS GETTING AWAY WITH HURTING ANIMALS OVER AND OVER AND THE SO CALLED LAW JUST SITS IDLY BY TWIRLING THEIR THUMBS!!!!! DO YOUR JOB ….GET ALL THESE PSYCHO MONSTERS TO PAY FOR ALL ALL ALL THEIR CRIMES IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY CANNOT DO IT AGAIN…. BAN THEM FROM ANIMALS FOR LIFE…

  9. It was stated that “just a few months prior, Daniel Esh was prohibited from having an animal for a year”! So how the hell does he have dozens of dogs in a lot less than a year?! And he gets away with it again! No one in the town or county is doing their jobs! Not even the SPCA seems to be following up. Sounds like some favoritism or money passing hands is going on.

  10. MICHAEL BAVARO says:

    THESE MORON SOB’S SHOULD BE LOCKED UP AND THE KEY THROWN AWAY.

  11. Sandy Collier says:

    With a 25 yr history, this entire family should and must be banned from ever possessing any animal ever again. The horrific suffering these animals endure under this family must be stopped. Please ban each and every family member for life

  12. Michelle Harvey says:

    I live very close to Lancaster and I implore you to do the right thing by these helpless animals!!! It is despicable that these scumbags have been allowed to get away with this for 4 decades!!! They SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED to have another animal and they all need LOCKED UP!!!!

  13. Pamela Chattergoon says:

    We can sit and say vigilante justice is wrong but after years and years of nothing being done, there is nothing left to do.

  14. Lancaster PA – PUPPY MILL CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
    And do you know WHY?
    The Amish.
    Horrible cult-like people who are rotten to ALL their animals and have made a fortune in puppy mills.
    I don’t only blame them however – how about all the STUPID STUPID people who buy designer dogs from puppy mills and give thousands pf dollars to these CREEPS for inbred abuse while beautiful loving dogs are euthanized every day in shelters.

  15. The scumbag lowlife Esh family needs to be put behind bars. They should never own any animals again!

  16. Puppy mills should be OUTLAWED! And let’s shame the stupid people who buy designer dogs!

  17. Tracey Aquino says:

    Oh, the Amish. OF COURSE. Throw ALL of these puppy-mill jerkoffs in prison. Seems like they get a free pass because they’re a religious cult. To me, they’re just assholes.

  18. Lock them up so they cannot get access to any more animals, and remove the animals they have. They are clearly generational serial abusers and should be removed from society.

    I still support a “do unto others” animal abuse law, where an animal abuser has to pay for any and all vet bills and care for the animals they abuse, AND they should receive the same abuse as they gave to the animals. Additionally, they should never, EVER be allowed anywhere near an animal or child, again (as serial killers often start by abusing animals), nor should they be allowed out in society. PARTICULARLY if they are repeat offenders.

  19. Elease M. Bradford says:

    The Esh family is a bunch of animal abusers. How have they gotten away with this cruelty for so long? I think I know. Somebody has dropped the ball and/or looked the other way, while innocent animals continue to suffer. The slaps on the wrist and petty fines obviously have not done any good. These people need to be severely punished and be put in jail. I hope these fur babies get justice.

  20. transformation6891Janey says:

    These poor animals I am appalled to hear that the Esh family generations of them have barely been a blip for the law.. that is shameful and the lawmakers should be sued for negligence

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