Trisha and James (Steven) Slack, proprietors of the former Keaton Kennels,

attempted to relieve themselves of their obligations to their puppy buyers by filing

for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central

District of California - Riverside Division on January 12, 2005.  They claimed to

have received no income from the sale of import puppies!  However, our California

attorney, John Hoffman, who has been so graciously donating his considerable

talents to FBRN at no cost (literally thousands of dollars of free legal services)

was able to bring over $400,000 worth of undeclared income to the attention of

the United States Trustee.  Consequently, the Slacks converted their petition to

a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which requires a minimum of 10% payback to unsecured

creditors.  Nearly 200 unsecured creditors were listed on the creditor mailing list.

The bankruptcy court entered its order on May 2, 2005.  The Slacks have been

ordered to reimburse their unsecured creditors at 100%.  They have been ordered

to pay $957.00 per month for 60 months (5 years!) to the Chapter 13 Trustee's

Office in order to satisfy that obligation.

More important even than the money is  the court's order that the Slacks "are

prohibited from buying, selling, or kenneling dogs, cats, or any other animals while

this case is pending."  The case will be pending for five years unless the Slacks

manage to come up with the funds to pay off their creditors at an earlier date.