from In Defense of Animals -
[email protected]
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - On October 24, deputies from the
Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society of Missouri
raided the dog kennel owned and operated by Randy and Linda Daugherty -
licensed by the USDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture - and
discovered 6 dead dogs and 88 others starving and injured in squalid
living conditions.
To further illustrate the severe negligence by both
state and federal officials responsible for inspections at commercial
pet producing facilities - commonly referred to as "puppy mills" - Mike
Gochnauer, also of Missouri, was finally charged with over 30 violations
by USDA officials, two years after In Defense of Animals (IDA) assisted
the media in a televised expose of conditions at his licensed facility.
"USDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture policies
favor the economic vitality of puppy mills rather than the welfare of
the animals, as the statutes mandate," said Marshall Smith, Director of
Investigations for IDA and a former USDA investigator. "In the Daugherty
case, despite the extreme conditions in which the dogs were discovered,
USDA officials have commented that the Daugherty's kennel will remain
federally licensed unless they are convicted of violations of the
federal Animal Welfare Act."
USDA policies favor local interventions in theses
situations. However, the organizations relied on by USDA are mostly
non-profit and exist on donations. These institutions, such as the
Humane Society of Missouri, struggle to find economic resources. In the
Daugherty case, rescued dogs had to be transported to an intensive care
veterinary unit over four hours away, stretching limited resources even
thinner.
"In spite of intense media attention, USDA failed to
take appropriate enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act in the Gochnauer
case. News footage that was taken from a county road clearly revealed
the inhumane conditions at the kennel as well as Gochnauer firing a
shotgun at me and a television crew," said Smith. "In the two years
since conditions were broadcast to the public, USDA has finally filed a
complaint against Gochnauer. Unfortunately, once a complaint has been
filed, cases can still take over two years before they are resolved. In
the meantime, Gochnauer may still be allowed to market puppies and house
breeding animals in a manner that violates federal regulations."
IDA is currently leading a national boycott of Petland -
one of the country's largest pet store chains that sell puppies and
kittens - and is supporting demonstrations and other activities directed
toward other like-minded pet stores. IDA is also encouraging stores to
work with local pounds, shelters and rescue groups to place adoptable
animals in loving homes.
Contact: Marshall Smith (573) 636-9291
Go on to USDA Seeks Comments on Regulating Hunting, Breeding, & Security Dog
Dealers
Return to 24 January 2001 Issue
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