|
[Wednesday, March 01, 2006]
AKC Board Chairman Ron Menaker today commented on the seizure of
several hundred dogs from a kennel in Chester County, PA, citing it
as an example of the need for more comprehensive legislation to
protect pets.
"This very sad case is an example of why we support the Pet Animal
Welfare Statute (PAWS)," said Menaker. "It is a case where the AKC,
through its mandatory inspection program for high volume breeders,
took action against a breeder who was found not to be in compliance
with our regulations. After the AKC disciplined him, he dramatically
reduced the number of litters he registered with us and therefore
was no longer subject to AKC inspection. However, although he had
been disciplined by the AKC and, according to press reports his
state license had been revoked, he continued to operate a sizeable
breeding operation 'under the radar'."
According to news reports, 337 dogs found to be living in squalor
were seized by the local SPCA. Kennel owner Michael Wolf was charged
with 337 counts of animal cruelty and his partner, Gordon Trottier,
was charged with 65 counts of animal cruelty.
Until 2004, both Wolf and Trottier registered a sufficient number of
litters with the AKC to be designated as "high volume breeders"
under the AKC's Compliance program. Through 2004, their dogs and
facilities were inspected by the AKC in accordance with AKC policy.
According to the most recent AKC inspection report, dated May 2004,
Wolf claimed to have only 45 dogs and 8 puppies, which were
determined to be maintained in acceptable conditions.
However, Wolf was suspended by the AKC based on the results of
routine DNA testing. The tests indicated incorrect or faulty record
keeping. After a six-month suspension and paying a fine, Wolf was
reinstated by the AKC. After his suspension, he only registered a
nominal number of litters with the AKC, thereby avoiding the
mandatory inspection for high volume breeders. From 2002 until his
suspension in 2004, Wolf registered 94 litters with the AKC.
Following his reinstatement, he applied to register only three
litters with the AKC.
"This is a pattern we see all too often," continued Menaker.
"Breeders stop registering with us in order to avoid inspection
after we take disciplinary action against them. Unfortunately,
however, many of these people continue breeding and selling dogs,
and register them with a for-profit registry that has no inspection
requirements to monitor care and conditions standards."
The AKC started mandatory kennel inspection of high volume breeders
registering with the AKC in 1991. Menaker noted that since this
time, approximately 2,000 high volume breeders have stopped
registering with the AKC. He said that today, more than 20
for-profit registries exist in the United States, many of which were
created to accommodate the very breeders who had abandoned AKC
registration and its inspection standards and requirements.
For more than 30 years the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) has
required persons who breed and sell dogs at wholesale to be licensed
and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The AWA
presently exempts breeders who sell exclusively at retail. With the
increase in Internet commerce, many high volume breeders have
converted to online retail sales, thereby escaping federal
regulation. PAWS would amend the AWA to make high volume retail
breeders and persons who import dogs for resale subject to USDA
licensing and inspection. It would exempt breeders of dogs and cats
who are in compliance with the standards of a third party inspection
program certified by the Secretary of Agriculture which have
standards that provide at least the equivalent protection to those
promulgated by the USDA. The AKC has endorsed PAWS, saying it will
provide important and essential protection for pets in commerce.
More information on the AKC's support of PAWS.
|
