Extremists Ramp up Efforts to Criminalize Dog Breeding

Animal rights extremists are aiming for responsible dog breeding by pressing lawmakers to expand the powers of the Justice Department to target breeders.

The legislative assault is focused on the Senate version of the Farm Bill. This once-every-five-years legislation reauthorizes billions of dollars in federal spending and sets priorities for agriculture, nutrition, conservation and forestry policies. More often than not, it’s also a legislative vehicle for various special interests.

The self-styled crusaders, who are against any dog breeding, are pressing their Senate allies to use the Farm Bill as a cudgel, shifting animal protection from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Justice. For decades, the responsibility for safeguarding animal welfare has resided with the USDA and the vast expertise of its veterinarians and animal experts, who enforce animal care requirements.

Instead, the so-called Better CARE for Animals Act, the basis for the proposal in the Senate Farm Bill, would give Justice the power to enforce any violation of the Animal Welfare Act, circumventing USDA’s authority. The draft provisions would also empower Justice to bypass USDA and file charges against dog breeders, including potentially criminal charges, seize animals and impose penalties — regardless of whether USDA has determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The legislative overreach in the Senate is underscored by the fact that the USDA already has the demonstrated authority and ability to work with the Justice on rare cases involving criminal conduct. What’s more, animal rights extremists are trying to solve a problem that does not exist.

The facts about responsible U.S. dog breeders tell a powerful story about animal welfare as their priority. According to the USDA 2022 Impact Report, inspections by its Animal Care Division revealed that 96 percent of licensees and registrants were in substantial compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. This means professional breeders provide animals humane care and treatment that meets government standards, including proper veterinary care, an appropriate diet, clean and structurally sound housing, proper ventilation and sanitation, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures.

Senate proposals stand in contrast to the House version of the Farm Bill. The bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee last month includes provisions that keep USDA at the center of animal welfare while still providing greater protection for animals. Some provisions include:

—Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare Act, including expanded resources for educational outreach.

—Additional resources for the USDA to better enforce the Animal Welfare Act, including reporting to Congress on existing enforcement with recommendations for improving enforcement.

—Better and more timely notification of state and local authorities if a USDA inspector finds that dogs are being kept in unacceptable conditions.

The push to insert Justice directly into dog breeding is another front extremists have opened up in the war against dog breeding and animal agriculture. It follows efforts in states and some local communities to ban dog breeding or sale.

California has a law that forces pet stores to sell only rescue or shelter dogs, preventing people from accessing purpose-bred dogs sourced from America’s highly regulated and professional breeders. Maryland has a similar law, and radical animal groups are trying to push laws through in other states. If laws close down responsible breeders, the only dogs available will be those from irresponsible breeders.

Responsible, law-abiding breeders of show dogs, quality pets, service or other working dogs are not at fault. Lawmakers nationwide should not penalize breeders who play by the rules and always put animal welfare first.

Reprinted with permission from DC Journal by Sheila Goffe.