Press Releases

Jim Rogers (301) 734-8563
Laura Sanchez (301) 734-7255

UNLICENCED MEDINA, TENN., ANIMAL DEALERS SETTLE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT CHARGES

RIVERDALE, Md., Jan. 17, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Johnnie and William Hargrove, animal dealers doing business as Bio Research Supply in Medina, Tenn., have agreed to a consent decision and order regarding violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

"In this case, the best interests of the animals were served by ensuring the Hargroves could not operate in the future," said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The Hargroves neither admitted nor denied any violations of the AWA but agreed to a civil penalty of $10,000 and a permanent disqualification from becoming licensed under the AWA. The civil penalty is suspended provided the Hargroves do not violate the AWA in the future.

The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and treatment according to the standards established by APHIS. Animals protected by the law must be provided with adequate housing, handling, sanitation, food, water, transportation, veterinary care, and shelter.

The law covers animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research, or used for exhibition purposes.