Mother dog and four puppies die from alleged animal neglect: SPCA

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. (PIX11) — A kennel owner was arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Westchester.

A mother dog and four puppies were euthanized in October after being diagnosed with Distemper Virus.

Witnesses notified the organization of sick Bernese Mountain Dog puppies at Rescue Right in Northwind Kennels in Bedford on October 3, according to SPCA Westchester officials.

Officials visited the kennel the following day and found four puppies and their mother in critical condition. One puppy reportedly could barely breathe and was nonresponsive.

The dogs were immediately taken to a veterinary hospital where they were diagnosed with Distemper Virus, which officials say is a serious and deadly disease that is highly preventable with proper vaccinations.

Despite veterinary care and treatment, all five dogs had to be euthanized, according to SPCA Westchester.

The kennel owner, Penny Berk, was taken into custody by the SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit and is due in court on August 28th.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .

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