Eleven dogs were seized Thursday from a West Hempfield Township kennel, where the owner had allegedly hidden the dogs from authorities by housing them in a tractor-trailer.

Elvin L. High, who operated Highgrade Kennels, 4406 Marietta Ave., Columbia, faces eight counts of animal cruelty charges after an ongoing investigation.

In his criminal complaint, Humane Society police officer Keith Mohler wrote that High was previously convicted of animal cruelty in 2002.

The latest criminal charges, filed on behalf of Humane League of Lancaster County, stem from allegations that High cropped the ears of at least 18 dogs, and he did not seek medical care for several dogs with severe long-term ear and leg infections and a mastiff suffering seizures and emaciation.

Before Thursday's raid, High had already lost his license to operate a kennel because it failed two 2007 inspections by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which is charged with inspecting safety and sanitation at the state's 2,600 kennels, but does not inspect the health of dogs at the kennels.

It was during the bureau inspections of Highgrade Kennels that inspector Diane Buhl observed several dogs that appeared neglected, mistreated or unhealthy.

She notified Mohler, who is authorized to initiate animal abuse charges. On May 10, the bureau revoked High's license to operate kennels, after inspectors twice deemed his kennels "unsatisfactory." High did not appeal the revocation.

Following an April 3 inspection, Buhl issued nine citations to High totaling $1,036 for poor conditions at his kennels. Violations included dead and decaying mice found in food dishes, urine and feces built up in dog enclosures, no proof of rabies vaccination for 15 of more than 60 dogs housed at the kennels, kennels too small for the size of the dog, and poorly maintained kennels with sharp, broken wires and chewed wood. Buhl also ordered medical care for four of High's dogs, including one with open sores and three others with "leg issues."

On a follow-up inspection April 24, Buhl noted that High's paperwork was updated to show rabies vaccinations, but there was still evidence of rodent infestation and the kennels were still poorly maintained and unsanitary. Buhl also ordered medical care for a dog that appeared to be suffering a seizure during her inspection.

After the April 24 inspection, Buhl issued five more citations totaling $596.50 for unsanitary, unsafe and cramped kennel conditions at Highgrade Kennels. That's also when she called in Mohler to investigate possible abuse and neglect of High's dogs.

Jessie L. Smith, deputy secretary for dog law enforcement, said more citations are likely to be filed against High because he also failed more recent inspections.

After High's kennel license was revoked by the state in May, he was not permitted to keep more than 24 dogs on his property, which is the maximum allowed before a business must be licensed by the state.

When humane officers raided High's property Thursday, they called for help from employees of Humane League of Lancaster County to seize some of the dogs on the property and house them.

"(High) had exactly 24 dogs in his kennels," said Kerry Flanagan of the the Humane League, who assisted on the scene. "So he was essentially hiding the other dogs in a tractor trailer parked across the street from his property."

Flanagan said it was the bureau's discretion to leave behind some dogs in High's care.

Seized were an adult long-haired dachshund and her five puppies, four Chihuahuas and a cocker spaniel.

Flanagan said two of the seized dogs needed immediate medical attention and were sent to the Humane Society of Berks County where a veterinarian was on call. The remaining dogs are being housed at Lancaster's humane league until High is adjudicated on the criminal charges. High surrendered one Chihuahua and the cocker spaniel, which means they may be adopted after his criminal proceeding.

Flanagan said the process may take up to 18 months to resolve in the courts.

High's preliminary hearing is scheduled June 20 before District Justice Robert A. Herman Jr.

In the meantime, Flanagan said she's impressed with the coordination between humane officers and the bureau in a case where a kennel operator violated animal cruelty laws and bureau regulations.

"This is a positive sign in the progress being made to deal with illegal and poor breeders in the state," Flanagan said.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com