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.