For Quick Launch:
October 5, 2023
Contact:
Brittney Williams 202-483-7382
Grundy County, Iowa – Damning U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) reviews simply obtained by PETA reveal that Century Farm Puppies—an area breeding facility operated by the Meyers household that churns out puppies on the market—has been cited once more for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), this time for canines with extreme dental illness and ears filled with brown buildup. This marks not less than the 17th violation at Century Farm since 2017. Regardless of this sample of repeated violations, the USDA has but to rescue a single animal or search any penalties in opposition to the power, so PETA rushed a letter to Grundy County Legal professional Erika L. Allen urging her to have a veterinarian go to the power with investigators and file acceptable fees in opposition to these chargeable for the neglect. The ability confines 285 to 350 canines at a time.
In keeping with the reviews, on August 24 USDA veterinarians seen one canine rubbing her ears in opposition to the ground, and additional inspection revealed a buildup of darkish brown materials in each ears. Different canines had been discovered with damaged, worn, or unfastened enamel and receding gums—and in a single case, the gums had been so receded that the tooth roots had been seen. The inspectors additionally discovered canines housed in rusty wire enclosures, feeders coated in brown grime, and expired drugs. Related issues had been reported throughout a March 1 inspection that additionally revealed a canine whose toe pad had been torn away, leaving them unable to make use of that foot. One other canine’s ears had been so stuffed with hair and brown buildup that his ear canals weren’t seen, and he was noticed shaking his head. A 3rd canine’s coat was severely overgrown and matted—which had been seen by mill personnel on February 20 however nonetheless hadn’t been addressed—and his toenails had been so lengthy that they’d grown in circles and touched his toe pads.
“When canines are warehoused by the tons of in depressing mills like this one, filth and struggling are inevitable,” says PETA Vice President of Proof Evaluation Daniel Paden. “PETA is looking on Grundy County authorities to prosecute these chargeable for this appalling sample of neglect and urges everybody by no means to purchase a canine from any breeder or pet retailer.”
PETA is pursuing fees below state regulation as a result of the USDA doesn’t render aid or assist to animals throughout its inspections and these violations carry no federal prison or civil penalties. In 2022 and the primary quarter of 2023, Iowa led the nation in federal AWA violations at breeding mills. Previously six weeks alone, Iowa authorities have seized over 220 canines from pet mills.
PETA—whose motto reads, partially, that “animals usually are not ours to abuse in any manner”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For extra data, please go to PETA.org, hearken to The PETA Podcast, or observe the group on X (previously Twitter), Fb, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Allen follows.
October 5, 2023
The Honorable Erika L. Allen
Grundy County Legal professional
Expensive Ms. Allen:
I hope this letter finds you properly. I’m writing to request that your workplace (and the correct law-enforcement company, as you deem acceptable) examine and, as appropriate, file prison fees in opposition to these chargeable for neglecting canines at Century Farm Puppies, operated by the Meyers household and positioned at 22928 270th St. close to Grundy Heart. PETA hopes investigators will go to the power with a veterinarian who has experience in canine well being and welfare in order that they will establish any animals in want of care and opine on the situations of and for the roughly 285 animals there.
U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) workers have documented persistent neglect on the kennel within the hooked up reviews, the newest of which was simply made public. On August 24, two USDA veterinarians and a 3rd inspector discovered 4 canines on the Meyers’ operation in want of veterinary care. One canine was “rubbing her ears on the ground” and had “a buildup of darkish brown … materials” in each ears. Three different canines had been discovered with “superior dental illness.” A canine named Flower was with “extreme gum recession of higher incisors, canines and cheek enamel.” Cruz was affected by “a damaged decrease left incisor tooth exposing the pulp of the tooth.” And Melonia had not less than three unfastened enamel and two enamel “worn right down to the gums with uncovered tooth pulp.”
Equally, on March 1, a USDA veterinarian and a second inspector discovered 4 canines in want of care. One canine’s enamel had been “utterly encased in a tough” brown materials, and the canine’s ears had been so matted that USDA workers “couldn’t observe the underlying pores and skin.” A poodle’s ear canals had been so stuffed with “darkish brown” buildup and hair that his ear canals “couldn’t be noticed.” A 3rd canine’s toe pad “had been partially torn away”—which left the animal holding the affected leg up and hopping round—and the canine had a unfastened tooth whose roots had been uncovered. Yet one more canine’s ft and stomach had been matted, and his coat was “severely overgrown.”
These findings—amongst others on the facility—might violate Iowa’s animal neglect statute, Iowa Code § 717B.3(1)(f). The USDA renders no assist or aid by any means to animals on website, and these reviews carry no prison or civil penalties and don’t preempt prison legal responsibility below state regulation for neglecting animals. Should you’d prefer to be taught extra concerning the USDA’s findings, please see the contact data for its workplace in Riverdale, Maryland, right here.
Thanks on your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Proof Evaluation
PETA
