Take meaningful action against commercial breeders and cruelty to honor Puppy Mill Awareness Month.

The ASPCA helped the Iowa Animal Rescue League to rescue more than 500 abandoned dogs from various sites in the state run by Daniel Gingerich, a USDA-licensed breeder. Many of the dogs were able to experience fresh air, clean water, and healthy food after their rescue. We helped to remove these dogs and provide care. Some of them still need specialized behavioral and medical support several months later. Unknown numbers of dogs died before we could save them. We also prevented irreparable damage to their health.

Gingerich pleaded guilty to two charges of animal neglect related to his now-closed commercial dog breeding facility. Gingerich is guilty of the cruelty inflicted upon these dogs. However, Gingerich was not held accountable for many other entities and individuals who enabled, encouraged, and profited from Gingerich’s actions. This includes the Iowa dog broker who transferred 600 dogs from Gingerich to Florida in one month to the 49 New York and Florida pet shops that bought puppies from Gingerich and then resold them as “responsibly raised pets.”

Cruelty gets a Pass

The Department of Justice (DOJ), in a 2021 complaint, details the horrible treatment of dogs at Gingerich’s licensed operation. It also illustrates the cruelty of commercial dog breeding and how the USDA cannot stop it.

Daniel Gingerich and other nefarious operators are part of an industry that depends on commercial breeders to produce puppies at the lowest cost so others, including brokers, transporters, and retailers, can make the most profit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a federal agency that is legally responsible for overseeing this cruel industry and ensuring the humane care of dogs in commercial breeding facilities, needs significant reform.

Large-scale cruelty has increased for decades because of insufficient oversight by the USDA. Last year, while the USDA conducted more than 2,000 inspections of licensed commercial breeders–documenting sick and injured dogs, dogs living in cages too small to turn around with wastewater draining into them, and dogs suffering outside in freezing temperatures and searing heat–not a single facility lost its license or even paid a fine. Even though they have the power to remove dogs from these licensed operations, the USDA still needs to do so. The USDA has not issued a fine, revoked a license, or confiscated any dog from a commercial breeding facility within the past five years.

The Gingerich case is an excellent example of how flawed the system is. In 2019, the USDA licensed Gingerich, and even though he did not give USDA inspectors access to the property, they renewed his license a year later.

Goldie’s Story

In April 2021, the USDA finally visited his property and found over 300 dogs. Golden Retriever #142 was also discovered. Golden Retriever #142 was inspected again by USDA inspectors in April 2021. They reported that she was “even worse” and hadn’t been reexamined by a vet. In July 2021, Golden Retriever #142, later named Goldie, was found in a barn with dead dogs. She was suffering from pressure sores, protruding bone, and no body fat. Gingerich eventually surrendered hundreds of dogs to Animal Rescue League. However, Goldie, unfortunately, died at Gingerich’s facility.

Although it has been over a year since Goldie died, there is still no sign of reform at USDA. They continue to ignore the situation. The U.S. DOJ intervened in May to stop Envigo, another USDA-licensed company, from continuing to hurt over 4,000 Beagles. The DOJ presented evidence that Envigo, a USDA-licensed business, was causing severe harm to over 4,000 Beagles. This was similar to their response to Goldie’s death in the Iowa puppy mill.

Envigo, despite this evidence, is still licensed to operate. The USDA renewed its license for Envigo for another year. This allows them to continue using other locations without restrictions, leaving thousands of dogs at risk in these facilities.

It is unconscionable that the USDA refuses to pay its bills, even though taxpayers are paying them. The USDA is ignoring thousands of dogs currently living in puppy mills. They will continue to suffer if they do not act. We cannot allow this to happen. In the spirit of Puppy mill Awareness Month, we ask Congress to support and approve Goldie’s Act. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, introduced it.

One Bill that Can Make A Difference

The Goldie Act would impose significant penalties for animal welfare violations and require that conditions involving cruelty or neglect are shared with local law enforcement. Goldie’s more general Act would require that the USDA enforce the Animal Welfare Act. This would give dogs in puppy mills the protection and compassion they need.