Government Weighs Modest Step to Police Puppy Mills

In a rare instance of the Trump administration considering an action to benefit the public, the federal agency that licenses animal dealers in our country says it is looking at writing tougher regulations.

Dealers, exhibitors and breeders currently don’t have to prove they are following the law to renew their federal licenses from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to breed, sell or exhibit animals. Some repeat violators have their licenses automatically renewed.

“As a trained veterinarian, humane standards of care for animals are close to my heart and central to my love and concern for our four-legged friends,” said Sonny Perdue, agriculture secretary.

The agency was criticized by animal groups earlier this year after it took down online inspection reports about puppy mills, roadside zoos, research labs and other breeders. The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued, but the lawsuit was dismissed. The records are back online, sometimes without names and addresses.

https://www.dcreport.org/2017/10/26/government-weighs-modest-step-to-police-puppy-mills/