Board yanks permit from Draft couple

VERONA — Augusta County authorities Thursday canceled a Stuarts Draft couple’s kennel permit despite a former breeder’s 15-minute rebuttal against evidence that led to animal cruelty convictions against him and the seizure of almost 100 dogs.

Wearing dark blue jeans and a checkered white shirt, Kyle Brydge told Zoning Appeals Board members that he never wants to breed again, then trotted out a list of reasons he says authorities found molded feces, inadequate water and dehydrated dogs at his Oak Leaf Kennel on China Clay Road.

“When you roll in ... before chores ... there’s going to be crap on there,” Brydge said, referring to the unannounced August inspection that led to the seizure and charges.

He said he was ready to clean water bowls that day, that his veterinarian had an appointment coming up and that piles of feces were attributable to his dogs frequently “using the restroom.”

Brydge’s words left looks of disbelief on the faces of Augusta County animal control officers and affiliates with the Augusta Regional Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“I was a little bit shocked that his rebuttal was that he did cleaning several times a week,” said Debbie Caywood, SPCA executive director.

“The kennel was deplorable,” Caywood told the board. “One of the worst I’ve seen in my years.”

Authorities seized 99 dogs from Brydge in August. He pleaded guilty in September to 102 assorted misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty, inadequate care and improper recordkeeping. A judge barred him from owning more than six companion animals.

Yet last month, he asked to keep his special use permit, having contested the wording of the judge’s order and whether it applied to his wife, Kim.

Before deciding to strip the permit Thursday, the board reviewed animal control inspection documents and a 200-page state veterinarian report detailing flea infestations, blindness, dehydration, dental disease and malnourishment in the sometimes-pregnant, small-breed female dogs kept by Brydge.

More than 150 letters against Brydge were sent to officials.

Animal Control Officer Bill Hobgood told the board that water at Brydge’s kennel was “the color of my shirt” — he wore hunter green at the hearing — and that E. coli was found in tested samples.

Hobgood said officers will continue to keep tabs on the property.

Caywood worries about enforcement. She said the Brydges have 12 dogs on their property.

Without their permit, the Brydges cannot own more than four dogs according to county ordinances.

“If [Kim Brydge] wants to apply for a special use permit … to have six dogs, she has the right to do it,” zoning board Chairman Steven Shreckhise said.

Longtime animal rescuer Beverly Faulkenberry spoke against Kyle Brydge during the hearing, calling his operation a “black mark” against Augusta County animal lovers.

“The greater Augusta community is known for its love of animals,” she said.