Federal court says Philly breeder cannot sue over seized bassets

    The federal court in Philadelphia has refused to allow a dog breeder to sue the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for seizing 11 of her basset hounds in 2009.

    Wendy Willard had claimed that her civil rights were violated when officers of the PSPCA removed the dogs, under Philadelphia’s so-called “limit law,” reports to Courthouse News Service. That provision permits only 12 dogs to be kept in a home.

    Willard contended the law didn’t apply because the dogs were kept in a barn. Further, she disputed the legality of the search.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal