URGENT, COMMENTS TO USDA ON PUPPY MILLS .

[Guest guest]

URGENT

YOUR ACTION NEEDED ON PUPPY MILLS.

 

COMMENTS TO USDA ON

DOCKET NO. 99-087-1

 

MUST RECEIVE BEFORE FEBRUARY 2, 2001

 

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER BEFORE JAN. 24, 2001

 

 

NOTE :

You must include FOUR copies of your letter

(an original and three copies)

and must note that your comments are regarding

Docket No. 99-087-1.

Your letter and the three copies must be RECEIVED by

February 2, 2001.

 

PLEASE SEND LETTER BEFORE JANUARY 24, 2001

 

 

Send Comments to USDA :

(A Sample letter to USDA for your references ) :

 

Re: Docket No. 99-087-1:

Licensing and Inspection Requirements for Dealers of Dogs

Intended for Hunting, Breeding, or Security Purposes

 

Date:

 

Docket No. 99-087-1

Regulatory Analysis and Development

PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03

4700 River Road, Unit 118,

Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238

 

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

I am extremely concerned that the USDA has proposed a new rule

that would exempt non-commercial puppy mills, hunting dog dealers,

and security dog dealers from complying with the Animal Welfare Act

(AWA). This proposed policy would sanction the negligent and

irresponsible breeding of animals.

 

The Animal Welfare Act was passed in 1966 to ensure humane care

and treatment for animals, including adequate housing, food, and water.

 

Currently, dealers who sell breeding, hunting, and security dogs are not

required to register with or be inspected by the USDA provided they

are only selling directly to the public (and not to other dealers),

no matter how many animals they have. Given the intent of the

Animal Welfare Act, these dealers should be registered and

regularly inspected too.

 

I am outraged that the only federal agency charged with specifically

protecting animals intends to turn its back on documented cases of

chronic animal cruelty. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was passed

specifically to ensure that breeders provide humane care and treatment

for hunting, breeding, and security dogs. Yet the agency has exempted

these breeders from compliance by arbitrarily defining them as " stores. "

 

The proposed rule to formalize this exemption does nothing to address

the filthy and inhumane conditions that unregulated breeders subject

their animals to everyday.

 

What the USDA intend to do is formally exempt all retail sellers of

breeding, security, and hunting dogs from any future regulations under

the Act. This would mean that certain puppy mills and other breeding

facilities that sell direct to the public would continue to operate in

deplorable conditions, causing obvious and significant suffering to the

dogs and puppies they keep. Such facilities often advertise via the

Internet and newspaper advertisements as well as selling animals at

open-air markets and roadside " stores. " The Internet in particular

has opened up entirely new retail markets for these breeding facilities.

 

With the proposed change, any unsuspecting consumer who purchases

a dog or puppy from these dealers would not have any federal recourse

should the animal become sick or die. And this proposed change would

remove any hope of our federal government ever helping dogs and puppies

languishing in breeding facilities that sell direct to the public.

 

I'M REQUESTING USDA TO STOP THIS INHUMANE AND

NEGLIGENT PROPOSED CHANGE.

 

WE WANT STRONGER , NOT WEAKER, ENFORCEMENT of

those who deal in the retail sale of dogs for breeding, hunting, or

security

purposes.

 

It is time the agency acknowledged its responsibility to these

animals. I look forward to seeing what action the USDA plans to

take on this important issue.

 

 

Sincerely,

(NAME):

(ADDRESS)

 

(end of letter)

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References Sources :

http://www.ddal.org/

http://www.hsus.org/programs/companion/puppymills_011901.html

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Thanks so much for your kindness, compassion and help.