Commercial Dog Kennel CUP

The owner described 20 years of breeding German shepherds as service dogs for veterans and read a veteran's testimony crediting his dog Bandit with saving his life.

A certified dog trainer from Zuni said dogs from the kennel are sound and easy to train, with five becoming service dogs.

A longtime service dog program volunteer said the requested 26-dog breeding colony is small by industry standards.

The closest neighbor across the street said she and her husband have never had an issue in 20 years and would rather have the kennel than a hog farm or residential development.

A PETA representative urged denial, calling the operation a puppy mill running 20 years without a permit, citing the 117 dogs, water and ventilation issues, and the state's 50-dog breeder cap.

A property owner said she likes Ms. Benson but opposes the permit because there are simply too many dogs relative to the staffing and no evacuation plan details.

A farm employee said care of the dogs takes her two hours each morning and the animals are well treated.

A horse boarder at the farm said sick dogs are nursed in her home and the dogs are well cared for.