Press Releases

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

IOWA ANIMAL DEALER FACES USDA ANIMAL WELFARE CHARGES

RIVERDALE, Md., Jan. 3, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently charged licensed animal dealer Daniel Shonka of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

"USDA investigators have documented the activities of Shonka throughout a number of states," said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "Based on what we've found, we believe Shonka violated the AWA a number of times. We will pursue these charges to the fullest extent the law allows."

APHIS investigators found that Shonka:

--Sold at least 341 random-source dogs to a registered research facility after obtaining the dogs through deception,

--Acquired each of the random-source dogs from prohibited sources,

-- Provided each of the random-source dogs to the research facility without the required certification that the person from whom the dog had been acquired had been informed that the dog might be used for research purpose, and

--Provided each of the random-source dogs to the research facility without having held the dog for a period of not less than five days.

APHIS inspectors conduct inspections of licensees to ensure compliance with the Act. Any violations that inspectors find can lead to civil penalties. The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and treatment according to standards established by APHIS. The standards include requirements for recordkeeping, adequate housing, sanitation, food, water, transportation, exercise for dogs, veterinary care, and shelter. The law regulates the care of animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research, or used for exhibition purposes.