By JEFF MORRIS
The animal cruelty case against Penny Berk has been postponed once again.
Berk was to appear in Mount Kisco Justice Court Jan. 23. However, just prior to that appearance, her attorney requested a delay, which was granted.
The case is now scheduled for March 13.
Berk, who runs both animal rescue organization Rescue Right and Northwind Kennels in Bedford, was arrested in July on five counts of animal cruelty by the SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit. She was subsequently arrested again in November on two additional counts.
All of the charges stem from the discovery of dogs suffering from distemper, who went untreated while in Berk’s care and had to be euthanized. SPCA calls distemper a disease that is highly preventable and treatable with proper vaccinations and timely medical care. SPCA Westchester had been conducting an investigation into Berk’s operations since 2023, and according to Enforcement Unit director Ernest Lungaro, they spent months establishing a timeline showing that Berk had sufficient time to treat the animals.
The case against Berk was first within the jurisdiction of the town of Bedford. It was moved to Mount Kisco after both Bedford town justices recused themselves, due to prior contact and familiarity with Berk and communications received regarding the case.
Originally scheduled to be heard in Bedford on Aug. 28, that appearance was postponed until Sept. 25, at which point town justice David Menken announced the case would have to be reassigned or moved. It was adjourned until Oct. 9, an appearance that was nullified when it was moved to Mount Kisco, where it was supposed to be heard Jan. 23.