Bad "B"-havior: Feds Finally Collar Notorious Dog Dealers

Floyd and Susan Martin were random source Class B dealers who, over the years, kept thousands of animals in appalling conditions at their Chestnut Grove Kennels in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. In late February, the pair pleaded guilty to federal charges and now face jail time and the loss of some of their ill-gotten gains. Despite ongoing violations of the Animal Welfare Act’s acquisition and animal care standards, the Martins—up until now—had managed to stay in business. Finally, in 2011, based on an investigation by the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Agriculture, the US Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania indicted the Martins on numerous counts of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, making false statements to the government, and conspiracy—all stemming from keeping fraudulent records regarding the source of the dogs they sold for medical research at such institutions as Johns Hopkins and Columbia Universities. In a plea deal, Floyd Martin agreed to serve one year in jail for mail fraud, while Susan Martin will be placed on probation for conspiracy, and the couple will have to pay $300,000 in restitution. Formal sentencing will take place in June.