| Here's the press release from the other side:
DORIS DAY ANIMAL LEAGUE WINS SUIT MANDATING
THAT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE (USDA) REGULATE "PUPPY MILLS"
PLAINTIFFS CHARGED 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
WASHINGTON D.C. (August 8, 2000) -- The Doris Day
Animal League (DDAL) and several other animal
protection organizations and concerned citizens won their
suit against the USDA in the United States District Court,
District of Columbia.
The suit charged USDA with failing to halt cruel and
inhumane practices in "puppy mills" throughout the United
States. The plaintiffs challenged USDA’s illegal actions in
exempting all commercial retail dealers, including puppy
mills, from compliance with the humane treatment
standards mandated under the Animal Welfare Act
(AWA). The suit detailed how the agency’s violations of
the AWA have led to the injury, illness, and death of
untold thousands of puppies and other pets.
Each year American consumers purchase countless
numbers of puppies through unregulated dealers who sell
animals from their own premises. Numerous investigative
reports have detailed the horrendous and inhumane
conditions in many of these unregulated facilities.
Thirty-five years ago, Congress passed the AWA, 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 commercial retail dealers from compliance
with these basic requirements, including dealers of
hunting, breeding, and security dogs.
The Court ruled for the plaintiffs based upon the merits of
the case. Agreeing with the plaintiffs, the Court explained
that USDA’s exclusion of all retail dealers who sell dogs
and cats from their own premises is in violation of
Congress’ express intent under the AWA. As a result of
this decision, USDA is now responsible for issuing new
regulations to regulate commercial retail dealers who
raise and sell dogs and cats for use as pets from their
own premises. USDA will also have to determine whether
to finalize its proposed rule/policy excluding retail dealers
of hunting, breeding, and security dogs from the AWA in
light of this decision and the overwhelming comments
submitted against it.
Doris Day stated, "It has been a long struggle to get the
most basic care for the dogs, and we’re heartened that
the courts made the humane ruling. It’s time for all dogs
used in the breeding industry to be afforded basic care."
DDAL Executive Director, Holly Hazard, commenting on
the decision, stated, "For several years we’ve contended
that USDA has simply ignored the explicit language in the
Animal Welfare Act providing for minimum protection for
these animals. It’s time the agency expedited a proposed
ruling to give coverage to all breeders of puppies the
Congress intended the USDA to regulate. We look
forward to fast action by the agency to come into
compliance with the Federal court’s decision."  |