USDA announces Animal Protection Bureau, vows tougher enforcement of Animal Welfare Act

USDA Secretary Rollins announced a new USDA Animal Protection Bureau (APB) and a suite of enforcement measures the department says will expand oversight of breeders and puppy-mill operations nationwide. "This team of specialists will target bad actors across the dog industry by rooting out unlicensed breeders, shutting down illegal dog import routes, tracking unauthorized activity through data and business records, and working with state, local, and federal partners to stop regulatory evasion and enforce the law," Rollins said.

Rollins provided enforcement numbers to support the push: APHIS and USDA teams have conducted "over 2,000 breeder or broker dog facility inspections in just this year alone," trained 100 inspectors in a new refresher series, issued 15 official warnings and terminated eight licenses for unfit applicants. He singled out the termination of Ridglan Farms as a high-profile example and said the APB will increase case-finding and coordination with law enforcement. "If you are not compliant with the Animal Welfare Act, you will be held accountable full stop, no questions asked," Rollins said.

The secretary said the APB will work with other federal partners and that the department plans to deliver 2,000 reminder notices to breeders and increase Inspector General staffing by 20% to sustain enforcement. The announcement accompanies a planned regulatory proposal to strengthen AWA standards and tighter oversight of who may perform surgical and dental procedures on animals.