Like a rolling stone
A like a rolling stone
Like the FBI and the CIA
And the BBC--BB King
And Doris Day
Matt Busby
Dig it, dig it, dig it
Dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it
Doris Day Animal League Sues the United States Department of Agriculture for
Failure to Halt Inhumane ``Puppy Mills'' and Other Unscrupulous Non-Retail
Store Pet Dealers
Business/Legal Editors
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000--
Plaintiffs Charge That USDA's Actions Allow Irresponsible Dog Breeders
to Cause Illness, Injury and Death to Tens of Thousands of Puppies and
to Spread Numerous Animal Diseases
Suit Filed in Federal District Court Charges Agency With Gross and
Negligent Violations of the Animal Welfare Act and Failure to Protect
Animals and Pet Buyers
Today, the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) and several other animal
protection organizations and concerned citizens filed suit against the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the United States
District Court, District of Columbia. The suit charges USDA with
failing to halt cruel and inhumane practices in "puppy mills"
throughout the United States. The plaintiffs describe USDA's illegal
actions in exempting non-retail store pet dealers from compliance with
the humane treatment standards mandated under the Animal Welfare Act.
The complaint also details how the agency's violations of the Animal
Welfare Act can lead to the injury, illness, and death of untold
thousands of puppies and other pets.
Each year American consumers purchase thousands of puppies through
non-retail store pet dealers. Over 25 years ago, Congress passed the
Animal Welfare Act, in part to ensure that dog breeders provide humane
treatment to animals in their care. Requirements include adequate
housing, ample food and water, reasonable handling, basic disease
prevention, decent sanitation and sufficient ventilation. Despite
these statutory requirements, the USDA has consistently violated the
Animal Welfare Act by exempting all non-retail store dealers from
compliance with these basic requirements, including dealers of
hunting, breeding, and security dogs.
Over the last decade DDAL has undertaken numerous efforts to force
USDA to reduce the abuses present in the puppy breeding industry. This
has included DDAL members sending more than 75,000 requests and
postcards to the USDA on the issue. DDAL has also filed two legal
petitions attempting to have the USDA include, under the Animal
Welfare Act requirements, non-retail store pet dealers, and those
selling hunting, breeding, and security dogs. The agency has failed to
correct this problem thereby forcing DDAL to file litigation.
In addition to DDAL, the lawsuit's plaintiffs include animal
protection organizations and concerned citizens who have observed
conditions in puppy mills and who have cared for animals rescued from
puppy mills.
Doris Day stated, "It's time for all dogs used in the breeding
industry to be afforded basic care."
DDAL Executive Director, Holly Hazard, commenting on the filing of
the lawsuit, stated, "By next holiday season we hope to see an end to
government malfeasance in allowing sick puppies to be bought by
unsuspecting consumers and their mothers to languish in inhumane
conditions for their entire lives."
"The USDA is violating the law by allowing irresponsible dog
breeders to cause suffering to thousands of puppies. The agency's
negligent actions not only take a tragic toll on animals but also fail
to protect those buying pets," Hazard continued.
"This suit will force USDA to obey the law and to shut down cruel
and inhumane puppy mills, and other unscrupulous pet outlets," Hazard
concluded.
--30--mk/la* aje/la
CONTACT: Doris Day Animal League
Holly Hazard, 202/546-1761
or
Linda Dozoretz Communications
323/656-4499
KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT LEGAL/LAW
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