USDA Has Been Turning a Blind Eye to Animal Neglect at Puppy Mills in Iowa - National Humane Education Society
Paws Down! To USDA for failing to report Animal Welfare Act violations in commercial dog breeding facilities.
December 4, 2021
According to a recent press release by U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) needs a makeover immediately.
Appalled by the recent puppy mill scandal in her home state, Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) investigated how a facility with over 200 AWA violations could remain open for months, continuing to abuse and neglect animals out of greed. Axne uncovered that the USDA has decreased penalties and enforcement on dog breeding facilities by 90% in the last five years. This is in large part due to certain loopholes added to the AWA which allow USDA inspectors to make “courtesy visits” rather than official inspections, eliminating written violations or reprimands to facilities with subpar standards.
This allows for commercial dog breeders with cruel and inhumane tactics fly under the radar while the USDA turns a blind eye to animal abuse. Without accountability, for-profit facilities like puppy mills can cut corners by reducing accessibility to animals’ needs like veterinary attention, clean water, nutrition, and enrichment.
Goldie’s Act would change all of that. The bill was named after a golden retriever who was found by an inspector at a puppy mill in Wayne County, Iowa, where she was in extremely poor condition. Unfortunately, the inspector did not make any official report of the dog, according to this recent news article. Sadly, the dog was found months later in a barn at the same facility, and she was so emaciated that she was euthanized on site. Goldie was just one of hundreds of animals who were victims of abuse and neglect at this puppy mill, which is now closed.
Goldie’s Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act by doing the following:
- require more frequent USDA inspections of USDA-certified animal facilities
- remove suffering animals from these facilities
- issue fines to facilities that are in violation of the AWA
Take Action
Goldie’s Act has just been introduced in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
Please contact your representatives and ask them to support Goldie’s Act to improve the Animal Welfare Act and life for animals in the United States!
Click here to read more about why puppy mills are inhumane.
just STOP & criminalize puppy mill operators – throw away the key – penalize them monetarily!!!!
Shut down ALL puppy mills everywhere- they are horrible and inhumane. All owners should go to jail and be fined ! Does the AKC get money from every one of these helpless dogs that puppy mill owners register?
There is no excuse for animal abuse (any animal).
They are all living, breathing feeling beings.