The owner of a kennel in Bedford is facing five counts of animal cruelty following a monthslong investigation led by the Westchester SPCA.

Penelope Smith-Berk, who founded Rescue Right and who owns Northwind Kennels, is accused of denying critical medical care to five Bernese Mountain dogs last fall.

On Oct. 3, several witnesses alerted SPCA Westchester officials about four sick puppies at Rescue Right in Northwind Kennels.

The next day the SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement director, medical director, veterinary technician and a New York State Health Department official visited the site and found all four puppies and their mom, Annabelle, were suffering and in critical condition. Officials said one puppy was nonresponsive and could barely breathe.

Officials rushed all five dogs to a veterinary hospital with Distemper virus.

“Distemper is highly preventable with proper vaccinations and timely medical care,” SPCA officials wrote in a press release. “If the dogs had not been denied veterinary treatment, their outcome could have been very different.”

Doctors immediately euthanized the sickest puppy because of its critical condition. Despite treatment, the remaining puppies and Annabelle were all euthanized to prevent further suffering over the next six days.

Smith-Berk pleaded not guilty in Bedford Town Court on Thursday, July 18, according to her attorney Anthony Siano.

In a statement, Siano said Smith-Berk denies all of the accusations:

"Since 1921, Northwind Kennels has been Westchester County's most prestigious and trusted pet care facility. Ms. Penelope Smith-Berk has owned and operated Northwind for over 17 years. In that time. Ms. Smith-Berk has been committed to the care and safety of literally tens of thousands of pets and rescued animals.

Ms. Smith-Berk employs over 14 experienced and dedicated pet care workers and has an extensive group of over 20 volunteers who add to the caring community that exists at Northwind."

Berk is scheduled to be back in Bedford Town Court on Aug. 28, according to the Westchester SPCA.

The Westchester SPCA urges anyone who suspects an animal is being abused or neglected to call its Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.