Press Release

Jim Rogers	(202) 690-4755
Darby G. Holladay	(301) 734-3265

RECENT USDA ANIMAL WELFARE ACT CASE ACTIONS

RIVERDALE, Md., June 5, 2003--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:

Jan. 10, 2003--Licensed animal dealer Rick Rowden in Meta, Mo. APHIS intends to show violations in the areas of housing and recordkeeping.

Jan. 14, 2003--Unlicensed animal dealer Mark Landers of Promises Kept in Hartville, Mo. APHIS intends to show Landers operated without the required USDA license.

Feb. 12, 2003--Licensed animal dealers Wanda McQuary, Randall Jones and Gary Jackson in Black Rock, Ark. APHIS intends to show a number of violations including some in the areas of veterinary care, recordkeeping and housing.

Feb. 12, 2003--Licensed animal exhibitors Chris and Donia McDonald of McDonald’s Farm in Peabody, Kan. APHIS intends to show a number of violations including some in the areas of veterinary care and housing.

Feb. 25, 2003--Licensed animal dealers Dennis and Karla Franzen in Aurora, Mo. APHIS intends to show violations in the areas of veterinary care, housing and sanitation.

March 10, 2003--Unlicensed animal exhibitor Edward B. Lake of Buckrite Deer Farms in Vienna, Mo. APHIS intends to show that Lake operated as an exhibitor without the required USDA license.

March 10, 2003--Unlicensed animal dealer Greg Blackburn of Pet Shop in Dickinson, Texas. APHIS intends to show that Blackburn operated as an animal dealer without the required USDA license.

April 11, 2003--Licensed animal exhibitor John Cuneo of Hawthorn Inc. in Grayslake, Ill., along with Thomas Thompson of Richmond, Ill., James Zajicek of Mesa, Ariz., John N. Caudill III of Sarasota, Fla., John N. Caudill, Jr. of Sarasota, Fla., and Walker Brothers Circus of Sarasota, Fla. APHIS intends to show these respondents violated the AWA in several areas including handling and veterinary care.

The following cases have been closed through either settlement or hearing:

Jan. 14, 2003--Tom Harvey of Safari Zoological Park in Cagey, Kan. Harvey settled his case with USDA by agreeing to a $10,000 fine, of which $5,000 is suspended providing there are no future violations of the AWA.

Jan. 15, 2003-- DEA Exotics, Inc. in Potosi, Wis. DEA Exotics, Inc. has been found guilty of violating the AWA. As a result, it must pay an $11,000 fine and cease and desist from violating the AWA. This decision can be appealed.

Jan. 16, 2003--Gerald and Angeline Wensman of Highdarling Cattery and Highland Hills Kennels in Melrose, Mo. The Wensmans settled their case with USDA by agreeing to a $1,000 fine, all of which is suspended providing there are no future violations of the AWA over the next year.

Feb. 12, 2003--Brandon and Larry Tuckett of Tuckett’s Family Farm in West Warren, Utah. The Tucketts settled their case with the USDA by agreeing to a $35,500 fine, all of which is suspended providing there are no future violations of the AWA. They are also permanently disqualified from obtaining a USDA AWA license.

Feb. 26, 2003--Matt Bennett in Cedar Grove, Wis. Bennett settled his case with USDA by agreeing to a $5,000 fine, all of which is suspended providing there are no future violations of the AWA. Also, Bennett is disqualified for 5 years from obtaining a USDA AWA license.

Feb. 26, 2003--Steven Richard Dornin of Tiger Tales Productions. The AWA case against Dornin was dismissed without prejudice. USDA can reopen the case at a later date.

March 14, 2003--University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. The University settled its case with USDA by admitting it violated the AWA on several occasions. It also agreed to a $6,215 fine and a probationary period of 1 year during which time a failure to comply with certain regulations would trigger an additional fine of $20,000.

March 14, 2003--Bobby and Kelly Hranicky of Tigers-R-Us in Yorktown, Texas. The Hranickys settled their case with USDA by agreeing to a $5,000 fine, all of which is suspended. Also, the Hranicky’s USDA AWA license was revoked, and they are permanently disqualified from receiving another.

April 21, 2003--BAX Global Inc. of Irvine, Calif. BAX Global Inc. settled its case with USDA by agreeing to a $17,480 fine.

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.