PITTSBURGH, ERIE and WASHINGTON-The Humane Society of the United States is joining with Reps. Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Phil English (PA-3) to spotlight the need for Congress to expedite passage of the Pet Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 5229), which would shut down the nation's remaining animal dealers who sell random source dogs and cats to research. Press events will be held today in Pittsburgh and Erie.
The legislation, introduced by Reps. Doyle and English in April, prohibits the sale of random source dogs and cats by "Class B" dealers to research facilities. The bill is a companion to S. 451, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), and the subject has been exposed to a nationwide audience through the broadcast of the HBO documentary Dealing Dogs earlier this year. The film is based on a six-month-long undercover investigation by animal rights group Last Chance for Animals of notorious Arkansas Class B dealer, C. C. Baird. The group's findings exposed the horrors behind the operation and led to state and federal investigations that eventually shut down Baird.
"Pets are part of our families, not tools to be stolen or obtained deceptively for research experiments," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The Humane Society of the United States. "Two-thirds of American households have pets, and thanks to the leadership of Rep. Doyle and Rep. English, we hope those families can have the peace of mind that their pets will be safe from cruel scams."
Dealers in random source animals have a long history of corrupt activity, including buying animals from "bunchers," unlicensed dealers who steal pets, and deceptively responding to "free to a good home" ads before selling the animals for experimentation. Class B dealers also are known for inhumane treatment of animals who are housed at these way stations before being transported to animal research laboratories. There are only 15 such remaining dealers in the United States of which four are currently under investigation by the USDA.
Representative English will hold a 10 a.m. press conference at the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie, and the Congressmen will hold a press conference together at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. Mr. Markarian will be speaking at both events in support of this critical bill.
The Pet Safety and Protection Act amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit random source dogs and cats from being sold to laboratories and prevents stray animals, who may be lost family pets, from being sold to laboratories. The bill would continue to permit breeders to supply dogs and cats to labs, as well as permit research facilities to breed animals for their own use or to supply others. The legislation would also continue to allow registered public pounds or shelters that receive animals relinquished by their owners with consent, to in turn provide those animals to research facilities if they choose.
For more information on Class B dealers and on animals used in research, go to www.hsus.org.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.
