- Massachusetts, USA -
~ Update: September 15, 2022
NBC Boston reports that APRIL BERNHARDT (pictured), was released on a $3,000 bail after her arraignment.
~ Original story:
The Rowley Police Department announced that 40-years-old APRIL BERNHARDT, owner of Hydrant Regency dog kennel, has been charged with forty counts of animal cruelty following an investigation conducted by multiple agencies.
In a press release police said that on Saturday, August 27, 2022, officers responded to a report of four goats walking on Route 1 and worked with Animal Control to round them up.
Police and Animal Control determined that the goats had roamed away from the Hydrant Regency on 104 Newburyport Turnpike in Rowley so Animal Control took the goats back. Officers noticed “some concerning issues at the kennel, which led to a follow-up investigation by Rowley Police and Animal Control in collaboration with the MSPCA and Animal Rescue League of Boston” said police.
The FBI's Evidence Response Team also joined the investigation last week, helping to search the property for evidence of dead dogs.
Police said Hydrant Regency has been closed since August 29, 2022.
Animals who were being housed on the property have been returned to their guardians, while the goats are in the custody of the MSPCA.
A post published on August 31, 2022, on Hydrant Regency’s Facebook page read: “Sorry for the delay in responding but we've had a lot of things going on here at The Hydrant Regency. Until Further notice the Hydrant Regency is closed due to kennel improvements. We have an electrical issue that needs immediate attention. Once this has been addressed, we will be back open for business. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
On Wednesday, September 14, BERNHARDT turned herself in to Rowley Police and was booked at the police station.
BERNHARDT is charged with thirty-nine counts of animal cruelty by custodian and one count of animal cruelty. Police said her arraignment was scheduled to take place later in the day in Newburyport District Court.
WCVB reports that at the arraignment hearing “prosecutors said 37 dogs were found in wire crates in a metal storage trailer without air conditioning and the temperature was 90.6 degrees. The dogs did not have access to water, and some larger dogs were in crates they were unable to stand or turn around in.”
According to WCVB, “The court said a former customer reported one of his dogs died while at the kennel, and a veterinarian said the dog showed signs of dehydration and heat stroke.”
BERNHARDT’s defense attorney said the town animal control officer has worked with Hydrant Regency for years and during the time there were not any reports of abuse, neglect or cruelty.
The attorney also pointed out that when the animal control officer conducted two welfare checks in late August, they did not see any signs of abuse or neglect and the animals did not show any signs of distress.
BERNHARDT was held on a $3,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on October 14, 2022.
The judge said BERNHARDT cannot own or possess any animals or operate any kennel while the case is pending.
Police did not mention in the press release whether any deceased dogs were found.
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