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
These people should NEVER be allowed the privilege of owning ANY animals going forward. >:(
America needs stricter laws and for ALL states. Period. State by state is not allowing these brutal crimes to be punished as they should be. There is too much abuse due to authorities knowing abusers, etc. This seems to be the case here. To have a family devoted to abuse should not be tolerated. They have been shown to be accountable and are guilty yet again. This family needs to have NO animals in their care again, for life! They need to pay all medical expenses for these abused animals. They need to pay a fine that is at least $10,000.00 yet it should be much more. They need to have their home taken if need be to pay for thee dogs and animals to be rehabilitated. They made animals suffer and do so deliberately. Why should they not suffer in retribution? Abuse needs to stop yet without laws to really punish this treatment of abuse will continue/ We are supposedly a civilized society. We need to show mercy to animals and malice to abusers.
This laws are a joke, we need to DEMAND to our LEGISLATORS for new HARSHER laws to really protect animals from subhumans like these DESPICABLE FAMILY
This is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. How much does anyone think that this family could possibly be Amish. The Amish have been in the puppy mill business for generations. Don’t let their religion fool you. I don’t condone their religion. But I do condone them for the harsh conditions and utter drastic living conditions of the dogs. No animal deserves this deplorable condition.
Susan Kulikowski … Please look up the meaning of the word condone. I don’t believe that is the word you meant to use in your comments. I understand what you were trying to say but it could be confusing to otheres with your use of the word condone. No shaming here … just bringing it to your attention.
Why is it always Pennsylvania and southern US states where these atrocities take place? What’s wrong with the people who live there? Are they brutes or morons? Or perhaps both?
Where are the police in that place?
I strongly agree that this family should not be allowed to have any animals. They deserve to sit in prison. These poor dogs and any other animals on their in property need to be rescued asap.
Quite right, the authorities need to do it now
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU. WHY ARE YOU DISGUSTING HUMANS STILL TREATING ANIMALS BADLY. YOU FOOLS, YOUR KARMA WILL ALWAYS FIND YOU, BE SURE OF THAT WHETHER YOU BELIEV IT OR NOT. YOU SHAMEFUL, DISGUSTING PEOPLE.
They are the poster people for what is wrong with the system.they need to be in prison for life. Otherwise their on going abuse will never end.
Another fine example of the evil Amish puppy mills….animals are only cash crops for these disgusting people!!!! There needs to be punishment and heavy fines for the criminals who abuse and mistreat the innocent animals-it can’t continue to be swept under the rug because it might disgrace a local family!!!!
Punish this subhuman!
CLOSE IMMEDIATLY THAT “SHELTER” IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT WAY. LOK UP THAT MONSTER OF A MAN AND PUT HIM IN JAIL FOR YEARS UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS HE PUT HIS DOGS IN. NO MERCY.
The “Shelter” Needs to be shut down Indefinitely!