ALLENTOWN — Pennsylvania’s top dog-law enforcer, who oversaw dramatic changes in the way commercial breeding kennels are regulated and helped put scores of substandard operations out of business, was replaced Wednesday in a management shake-up that some animal-welfare advocates viewed with alarm.

Jessie Smith was a 20-year veteran of the state attorney general’s office when she was tapped by former Gov. Ed Rendell in October 2006 to lead a revamp of Pennsylvania dog law and put an end to the state’s sordid reputation as the puppy mill capital of the East.

Smith, who had the title of special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement, was replaced by Lynn Diehl, a former banker who will serve as director of the newly created Dog Law Enforcement Office.

Mike Pechart, executive deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, to whom Diehl will report, lauded Smith’s job performance but said a leadership change was in order.

“Obviously, getting the kennels in compliance is a top priority, but there are a lot of other areas in dog law and in general with dogs in Pennsylvania that may have been put on a side burner and really need some attention too,” he said.

As an example, Pechart cited a depletion of the Dog Law Restricted Account, which is funded mainly by dog license fees and pays for enforcement. He said the account is on track to run out of money, primarily because too few dog owners comply with state licensing requirement.

Diehl’s “financial background will be critical for the bureau,” Pechart said.

The management shake-up comes at a busy time for state kennel regulators. Tougher requirements for ventilation, humidity, lighting and flooring in commercial kennels are set to take effect July 1.

Tom Hickey Sr., a member of the state Dog Law Advisory Board, said Wednesday that he’s worried the Corbett administration is siding with commercial breeders who have long detested the stricter kennel standards.