Molly’s Place Pet Rescue in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania, has emerged stronger after a protracted legal dispute with the State Department of Agriculture. This no-kill rescue, dedicated to saving dogs and cats, faced the threat of closure due to a revoked kennel license. However, in a significant victory mediated in Commonwealth Court on October 7th, the department reversed its decision, retroactively reinstating the license to 2013. This resolution marks the end of a challenging chapter for Molly’s Place and paves the way for its continued service to the community and ambitious future expansion plans.
A Victory Born from Perseverance
The ordeal began in 2013 when a dog warden from the Department’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement cited Molly’s Place, owned by Lori Johnson, for paperwork discrepancies during routine annual inspections. Subsequently, the department revoked the rescue’s kennel license and denied license renewals in 2014 and 2015. This action cast a shadow over the operations of Molly’s Place, located at 5220 E. Trindle Road, and threatened its ability to continue its vital work of animal rescue and adoption.
However, Molly’s Place, with the support of its legal team, contested the revocation. Attorney Nathan Volpi, representing Johnston, argued that the department’s actions were misaligned with the intent of the state’s Dog Law, which is primarily designed to combat puppy mills and animal abuse, not to penalize no-kill shelters for minor administrative oversights. The case reached the Commonwealth Court, marking the first judicial review of the matter. Following arguments from both sides, the court directed the case to mediation, ultimately leading to a favorable settlement for Molly’s Place.
The Department of Agriculture’s decision to reinstate the kennel license was influenced by Molly’s Place successfully passing its two most recent inspections and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing cooperation, according to department spokeswoman Brandi Hunter-Davenport. Beyond the license reinstatement, the settlement agreement included further concessions from the department. Crucially, the department agreed to disregard all previous violations in future inspections, ensuring that past citations would not prejudice future assessments of Molly’s Place. Furthermore, the department committed to updating its website to explicitly reflect Molly’s Place’s fully licensed and compliant status, acknowledging the rescission of past revocations and refusals, providing clarity and reassurance to the public and potential adopters.
More Than a Rescue: A Mission Impacted
For Lori Johnson, the resolution brings an end to over two years of legal uncertainty, allowing her to refocus entirely on the core mission of Molly’s Place: animal rescue. Since its inception in 2005, this non-profit organization has rescued over 12,000 dogs and cats, becoming a cornerstone of animal welfare in the community. Despite the legal victory, the protracted battle has left lasting scars. The negative publicity surrounding the license dispute led to a significant drop in adoptions, impacting the rescue’s financial stability and public image.
Johnson revealed the personal financial strain she endured to keep Molly’s Place operational during this turbulent period. For over a year, she forwent a salary, personally invested funds, and accumulated credit card debt to ensure the rescue could continue to provide care for its animals. The challenges began in 2011 when the frequency and intensity of inspections increased, coinciding with a change in the assigned dog warden. What were once routine annual inspections became a source of escalating scrutiny, with citations issued for minor paperwork issues, as highlighted by attorneys Volpi and Susan Pickford.
Examples of these violations included a citation for a volunteer veterinarian’s missed signature on a dog’s check-up form and another for the rescue lacking a bill of sale for a rescued dog – an impossibility given that Molly’s Place never purchases animals, but rather rescues them. These points of contention formed the crux of the legal argument: that the Dog Law was being misapplied to punish a no-kill rescue for technicalities, rather than addressing genuine animal abuse or neglect.
Double Legal Jeopardy and Community Support
Adding to the complexity, Johnson faced over 250 criminal charges alongside the license appeal. These charges stemmed from continuing to operate Molly’s Place while the license revocation was under appeal, despite the state’s Dog Law permitting rescues to remain open during such processes. Each charge carried a potential penalty of a year in prison and a $2,000 fine, creating immense personal and professional pressure. However, in a significant show of support and common sense, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s office dropped all criminal charges in August. Senior assistant district attorney John C. Dailey recognized that license issues were best resolved through regulatory channels, not the criminal justice system.
With the criminal charges dismissed, Molly’s Place could fully concentrate on regaining its kennel license, culminating in the successful settlement on October 7th. Looking forward, Johnson is determined to pursue long-held expansion plans. The legal battles had effectively put these aspirations on hold. Johnson’s vision includes a capital campaign to relocate and expand Molly’s Place to a larger facility within Cumberland County. This expansion is crucial to increase the rescue’s capacity and enhance its services to the community.
“We have been on hold for two years,” Johnson stated, emphasizing the significant impact of the legal fight. “The goal is to buy land, and build a bigger and better Molly’s Place.” With a clean slate and renewed focus, Molly’s Place Pet Rescue is poised to embark on this exciting new chapter, continuing its vital mission of rescuing and rehoming animals in need, serving as a testament to perseverance and dedication in the face of adversity.
