Suspend USCA Membership for Randolph “Randy” Brent and His Kennel “von Den Blauen Bergen” Pending The Outcome of Criminal Charges Filled Against Him For Cruelty to Animals

EB Ballot #19-17 

Motion submitted by Vadim Plotsker, VP, seconded by Michele Scarberry, NBW, to suspend USCA Membership for Randolph “Randy” Brent and his Kennel “Von Den Blauen Bergen” pending the outcome of criminal charges filed against him for cruelty to animals.

Background:

On May 24, 2017 Mr. Brent was charged with four misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in Randolph County, West Virginia.  According to news reports Deputies found several German Shepherd Dogs that were “in need of veterinary care, were not being fed properly or provided appropriate shelter”.  Deputies also found that most of the rooms in Mr. Brent’s house were “covered in dog feces”.  While they inspected the outdoor kennels on the property, they noticed several kennels did not have dog houses or any type of shelter from the elements.  Also during their investigation and looking at photographs that Mr. Brent’s roommate took, deputies were able to confirm that Mr. Brent allowed multiple dogs to eat one of the other dogs because they were hungry.  According to court documents, Mr. Brent was responsible for the death of at least three of his dogs.  Due to the conditions found 32 dogs and one cat were removed from the home.

On Mr. Brent’s website (http://www.gsdbb.com/), he also references he is a member of USCA and his kennel “Von Den Blauen Bergen” is a USA registered kennel.

Per USCA Constitution and Bylaws Article XI Section 5 the Executive Board can suspend a membership by unanimous vote for animal cruelty.  I am suggesting that this be done until this case is adjudicated in the Randolph County Courts.  As part of this suspension I also suggest that he remove all mention of “USA” or “USCA” on his website, that USCA removes his kennel from our kennel registration website/database and that his information be removed from any website associated with USCA (club and regions websites)

VOTE RESULTS:

YES: 20

MOTION CARRIED:  June 26th, 2017