Pet Safety and Protection Act Reintroduced

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) March 2, 2007 – The Pet Safety and Protection Act, a bill that amends the Animal Welfare Act to ensure all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally, has been reintroduced in both chambers of Congress.  Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) introduced the bill on Feb. 28 as S. 714 in the Senate, and Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA) introduced a companion measure the next day as H.R. 1280 in the House of Representatives. 

Fifteen “random source” Class B dealers are currently licensed to sell dogs and cats for experimentation.  The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is charged with the enormous task of inspecting their premises, but the agency does not have nearly enough staff or resources to oversee the individuals who supply the animals. 

“More than a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars are spent each year in a futile attempt to get the handful of remaining Class B dealers to comply with the minimum requirements of the federal Animal Welfare Act,” said Tracy Silverman, legislative counsel for the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL).

Class B dealers routinely acquire dogs and cats from a vast network of suppliers with questionable backgrounds.  These animals are often stolen or obtained from “free to good home” advertisements by suppliers who falsify records to keep their true origins unknown.  Some random source dealers also have unofficial relationships with municipal pounds to buy surplus animals. 

The Pet Safety and Protection Act would prohibit the sale and use of dogs and cats procured from random source Class B animal dealers for research, keeping animals out of the abysmal conditions typical in these operations, which are frequently under investigation. Overcrowded cages, rotten food, food contaminated with feces, frozen drinking water, dogs with serious untreated injuries and diseases, and live dogs caged with the carcasses of dead dogs are among the abuses documented.“

Brutal treatment of animals, fraudulent record-keeping, illegal acquisition of animals and exploitation of loopholes within existing law are the modus operandi of random source dog and cat dealers,” said SAPL Legislative Director Cathy Liss.  “This legislation should be embraced by all, because it will protect beloved companion animals from experimentation, demonstrate integrity on behalf of the research industry, and save taxpayer dollars.”

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Contact:

Tracy Silverman, SAPL – 703-836-4300