APhIS enforces regulations; OIG investigates criminal violations, officials say

When asked to clarify the difference between APHIS's responsibilities and those of the USDA Inspector General, under secretary Dudley Hoskins said APHIS enforces regulatory authorities over a subset of breeders that fall within its jurisdiction and conducts administrative inspections and actions. "Under the APHIS Animal Care Program, we regulate a subset of dog breeders that are basically under our jurisdiction according to our regulations," Hoskins said.

John Walsh of the USDA OIG explained that OIG handles criminal investigations and auditing work that supports prosecution. "When there are criminal violations that come to us to investigate, we help build the case, and then we send them for prosecution with the Department of Justice," Walsh said, adding that OIG also performs audits to ensure the department enforces laws through administrative routes when appropriate.