WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA) has released its annual report exposing significant failures in the oversight of federally licensed dog breeding facilities by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The report, based on USDA data for 2024, revealed over 800 violations of the Animal Welfare Act at facilities tasked with breeding and caring for an estimated 200,000 dogs.
Findings from the report paint a sobering picture of conditions at many of these facilities. Violations included failure to provide shelter, access to clean food and water, or veterinary care. Some dogs were found unable to walk, living in waste, suffering from wounds, or battling diseases. Others died in tragic circumstances, including barn fires, extreme cold, or fights with other dogs. Despite having the authority to penalize violators or revoke licenses, the USDA reportedly took little to no action in the vast majority of cases.
“Over 200,000 dogs in licensed commercial facilities were seen by the USDA in 2024, many of whom were suffering due to neglect or outright cruelty,” said Robert Hensley, Senior Counsel for ASPCA Legal Advocacy and Investigations. “Despite having the authority to issue penalties and warnings, revoke licenses, and remove animals, the agency’s overwhelming response was to do nothing.”
Alarming statistics highlighted systemic enforcement gaps. Nearly half (45%) of USDA-licensed dog breeders were not inspected in 2024. Of those inspected, federal officials documented failures in one out of every five site visits. These figures underscore widespread lapses in ensuring compliance with minimum care standards.
One particularly troubling case noted in the report involved Goldie, a Golden Retriever who suffered severe neglect at an Iowa puppy mill before her death. Her tragic story has become a rallying cry for proposed federal legislation aimed at overhauling enforcement practices.
Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), first introduced in January, represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen the USDA’s inspection and enforcement protocols. Sponsored by U.S. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), and Zach Nunn (R-IA), the bill calls for mandatory inspections, stricter penalties for violations, and collaboration with local law enforcement to address suspected cruelty. The act has also garnered support from Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), as well as animal welfare groups nationwide.
If enacted, Goldie’s Act could mark a pivotal step in improving conditions for dogs in federally regulated facilities. Hensley voiced hope for reform, particularly with the confirmation of Brooke Rollins as the new Secretary of Agriculture. “No federal agency impacts animals more than the USDA,” he said. “We hope [Secretary Rollins] will take this opportunity to strengthen the agency’s Animal Welfare Act enforcement to ensure animals in federally licensed facilities get the protections they deserve.”
The ASPCA emphasized the critical need for change, warning that the USDA’s apparent inaction jeopardizes the welfare of hundreds of thousands of animals. Goldie’s Act, supported by bipartisan lawmakers and advocates alike, holds the promise of greater accountability by requiring the agency to enforce the very laws designed to protect animals from harm. Whether this legislation can spur long-overdue reform remains to be seen, but it is a measure that many believe is urgently needed.
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