Press Releases
Jim Rogers (301) 734-8563
Laura Sanchez (301) 734-7255
RECENT USDA ANIMAL WELFARE ACT CASE ACTIONS
RIVERDALE, Md., June 14, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service has charged the following people and businesses with violations
of the Animal Welfare Act:
April 23, 2001--Licensed animal dealers Danny and Mildred Schachtele of Middle
Fork Kennels in Salisbury, Mo. APHIS intends to show violations in the areas of handling and
transportation.
April 24, 2001--Unlicensed animal exhibitor Emilia Zerbini of Maya and Her French
Poodles in Sarasota, Fla. APHIS intends to show that Zerbini engaged in regulated activities
without a license on numerous occasions and committed violations in the areas of veterinary care,
housing, transportation, and sanitation.
May 7, 2001--Licensed animal dealer Mark McKee Sr. of Critters in Bonham, Texas.
APHIS intends to show violations in the areas of housing, sanitation, and storage.
May 7, 2001--Unlicensed animal exhibitors Richard and Tim Hullinger of the
Bandlands Truck Stop, Inc. in Kadoka, S.D. APHIS intends to show that the Hullingers
engaged in regulated activities without a license.
May 7, 2001--Unlicensed animal dealers Stan and Kathy Lovett in Hitchcock, S.D.
APHIS intends to show that the Lovetts engaged in regulated activities without a license.
The following AWA cases have been closed through either settlement or hearing:
April 20, 2001 Licensed animal dealer Jose Cruz-Ayala in Houston, Texas. Cruz-
Ayala has been found guilty of violating the AWA by a USDA administrative law judge. He
received a $7,500 fine and a 30-day license suspension. This decision is subject to appeal.
April 25, 2001--Licensed animal exhibitor David Sabo of New York Primate Center,
Inc. in Amenia, N.Y. Sabo settled his case with the USDA and agreed to a $4,000 fine of which
$3,000 is to be spent on facility improvements within 3 months. In addition, Sabo agreed to a 30-
day license suspension.
April 25, 2001--Licensed animal exhibitor Karl Mitchell of All Acting Animals in
Pahrump, Nev. Mitchell has been found guilty of violating the AWA by a USDA administrative
law judge. He received a $27,500 fine and his AWA license was revoked. This decision is
subject to appeal.
April 27, 2001--Licensed animal dealer Jesse Rayfield in Ellington, Mo. Rayfield
settled his case with the USDA and agreed to a $3,000 fine (suspended) and a 60-day license
suspension.
May 3, 2001--Unlicensed animal dealer Janice Ritsko of Best Friends Exotic Pet
Store in Brownsville, Pa. Ritsko settled her case with the USDA and agreed to a $19,000 fine
(suspended). She is also permanently disqualified from receiving an AWA license.
May 8, 2001--Unlicensed animal exhibitors Sam Groome, Odalis Groome, and Horse
World Corporation of Amazing Animals in Marathon, Fla. The Groomes and Horse World
Corporation settled their case with the USDA and agreed to a $12,000 fine (suspended) and a
permanent disqualification from becoming licensed.
May 18, 2001 Unlicensed animal dealer Goldie Rogers in Midway, Ark. Rogers
settled her case with the USDA and agreed to a $13,500 fine of which $13,000 will be held in
abeyance. Rogers is also permanently disqualified from receiving an AWA license.
The APHIS animal care program conducts inspections of licensees to ensure compliance
with the AWA. Any violations that inspectors find can lead to civil penalties and license actions.
The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and
treatment according to standards established by APHIS. These standards include requirements
for recordkeeping, adequate housing, sanitation, handling, food, water, transportation, exercise
for dogs, veterinary care, public contact, 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.
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