Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, applauds U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for sponsoring the Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act. The bill, introduced yesterday in the Senate (S. 503) and scheduled for introduction on Monday in the House, would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow public access to animal welfare records related to the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act.[teaserbreak]
On February 3, 2017, without warning or explanation, the USDA deleted its online database of searchable enforcement reports. This online search tool provided compassionate citizens across the country, as well as journalists, lawyers, and nonprofit animal advocates, with vital information about animal cruelty in substandard roadside zoos, shameful animal circuses, puppy breeding factories, and more.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “I applaud Senator Wyden and Representative Blumenauer for demanding accountability and transparency from the USDA. The thousands of deleted documents are the product of an enforcement system that is funded with taxpayer money, and therefore taxpayers have a right to access the information. The Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act will ensure that the USDA cannot shield the worst animal exhibitors, breeders, and researchers from the public eye. The agency should facilitate, not complicate, access to this vital data. There is no place for secrecy in a democratic government.”
“Transparency is key when it comes to giving animal lovers and consumers information about whether their pets or the products they buy are the result of heartbreaking beginnings,” Senator Wyden said. “This bill gets the facts out there to identify and hold puppy mill operators accountable while making sure taxpayers aren’t paying to keep animal abusers in business.”
“For the life of me, I can’t understand why USDA would hide this vital information. In doing so, it’s protecting animal abusers. It’s unacceptable,” said Representative Blumenauer. “The agency must restore transparency, and those who treat animals with cruelty should not receive the same benefits as those who play by the rules.”
The bill adds more pressure on the USDA in the wake of the website blackout. Two coalitions of organizations, including Born Free USA, have filed lawsuits to compel the USDA to reverse its policy and republish the enforcement documents. Furthermore, 101 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Trump demanding restoration of deleted animal welfare documents, and 18 senators sent a similar letter to the USDA’s acting deputy, Michael Young.
Roberts added, “The public has a right to know whether the circus coming through town or the local dog breeder is mistreating animals in violation of federal law. The government’s decision to wipe out this information from its website enables animal exploiters to operate in relative secrecy, protecting their shameful practices. I hope that Congress will act swiftly to pass the Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act.”
About Born Free USA: is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic ‘pets,’ trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of ‘compassionate conservation’: the vision of the UK-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929