The township of Perth East has served an eviction notice for nearly 30 dogs at Menno and Viola Streicher’s kennel near Millbank, northwest of Waterloo.
The Streichers have been raising and selling dogs since 2009, but in September, their kennel license was withdrawn after an inspection found the kennel to have poor lighting and ventilation, overcrowding and a strong smell of ammonia.
That same inspection led to 18 charges of animal cruelty levied against the Streichers by the Ontario SPCA.
As an Amish couple, the Streichers don’t have electricity on their farm, but they say their kennel had passed regular inspections, most recently in June.
Friends and neighbours have gone to bad for the Streichers. Cindy Moyer, president of the Huron-Perth Landowners Association, says there is lots of support for them in the community.
“This is a kennel that was approved based on a passive heating system – a natural, green, environmental, passive heating system,” she says.
“Why is it a problem now?”
The Streichers did not want to appear in camera, but they say they’re operating their kennel as usual, and one of their puppies is being picked up by its new owner tomorrow – after the deadline set by the eviction order. A bylaw inspector is also expected to visit the farm Friday.
Supporters have also said called the township’s ruling discriminatory against the Amish lifestyle.
“They are a culture that is non-aggressive. To be hit with this kind of thing came out of left field for them … for me, it’s heartbreaking,” says Moyer.
Township officials are not commenting on the matter due to legal action taken by the Streichers.
