Hundreds of dogs have finally been rescued from Daniel Gingerich, an Iowa dog breeder. Gingerich was issued multiple violations under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) six months ago.
In a statement from the Department of Justice, as reported by NBC News, Gingerich was accused of violations across every category of the AWA’s requirements for a compliant facility.
The court’s document cited a veterinarian from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). She voiced that she had “never encountered” a USDA licensee with such “a level of chronic and repeat noncompliance.”
Daniel Gingerich’s Inhumane Breeding Facility
An Iowa dog breeder hoarded 500 sick, malnourished dogs in unsanitary conditions, feds say: “Shocking cruelty” https://t.co/YR6rZNuYDp
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 3, 2021
None of the standards for animal welfare were at all provided. This includes vet care, a livable climate, appropriate or clean enclosures, or access to potable water, nor was there a management system in place to maintain a record of the animals, or to even identify them.
Furthermore, an inspection found “moldy” and “deteriorating” food with an “excessive amount of wood shavings.”
“During one recent inspection, APHIS inspectors observed a severely emaciated Golden Retriever, several dogs with untreated and painful eye conditions, and a non-responsive puppy that died moments later,” the DOJ said in their statement.
Why Did This Rescue Take So Long?
Around midnight, our team returned from Iowa with 92 dogs/puppies rescued from a large commercial breeder after USDA documented 190+ violations of the Animal Welfare Act. WHS is proud to support @ARLIowa & partners in efforts to save more than 500 dogs: https://t.co/YGZROPbqxf pic.twitter.com/lLppucM1Qd
— Wisconsin Humane Society (@WiscHumane) November 2, 2021
Yet, a motion wasn’t filed for a restraining order until September 28th, 2021.
The DOJ’s statement cited evasion as a possible reason why this took so long. Gingerich “repeatedly evaded, or attempted to evade,” various inspection attempts, it says. But the APHIS was still able to gain access to the property in March of 2021.
According to a group statement from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the removal of dogs from the property didn’t start until October 14th, 2021.
NBC’s report provides no further indication as to why this process is so lengthy.
“The light is shining on bad actors in the dog breeding industry as a result of this action by the Department of Justice,” Tom Colvin, CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said in the DOJ’s statement. “A new approach of stopping them before animals suffer is long overdue.”
Verdict For Daniel Gingerich & How You Can Help
RESCUE UPDATE: The ARL Mobile Rescue Team has arrived back in Des Moines after a multi-day rescue operation to remove more than 500 dogs from a commercial breeder at six locations in Iowa. https://t.co/AAntIFur6W pic.twitter.com/PcvKxPa85F
— Animal Rescue League (@ARLIowa) November 4, 2021
Given the severity of the violations, as expressed vividly in the DOJ’s statement, this punishment seems woefully short of what it should be. Perhaps further court rulings will rectify this.
In the meantime, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa is currently housing and providing care to many of the rescued dogs. They’re asking for help in the form of donations and, eventually, adoptions.
You can donate to them here and find more about their adoption process here. And make sure to spread their story on social media to help get the word out!
What kind of legal consequences do you think cruel breeders like Daniel Gingerich should face? Would you adopt one of the dogs rescued from this breeding facility? Let us know in the comments below.
