Release No. 0081.96

                                  Patrick Collins  (202) 720-2511
                                                pcollins@usda.gov
                                    Jerry Redding  (202) 720-6959
                                                jredding@usda.gov

USDA MOVES FORWARD ON ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES 

         WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 1996--Pet theft, inhumane treatment, and the
improper care and breeding of animals are receiving added attention from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.

     "Pet theft and animal abuse will not be tolerated," said Agriculture
Secretary Dan Glickman.  "Animal welfare is not a second-class issue at the
USDA.  We intend to improve standards and toughen enforcement."

     "Secretary Glickman has sent a clear message," said Assistant Secretary
Mike Dunn:  "Get tough on the bad operators."

     Under Glickman's direction, Dunn, head of USDA's marketing and
regulatory programs, is spearheading efforts to improve USDA's oversight of
the care and handling of companion animals.

     Currently, USDA is working on a legislative proposal to strengthen the
Animal Welfare Act; holding a series of three public hearings to seek
widespread input into making regulatory improvements; and toughening up
inspection and enforcement efforts.

     "I am particularly proud of the recent work of some of our animal care
enforcement specialists," said Dunn.  "Two of them, Greg Nelson, an
investigator, and Robert Willems, a veterinary medical officer, have been
involved in a number of investigations that have resulted in pet animals being
protected and regulatory action being taken against those who are not in
compliance."

     USDA investigators are currently executing tracebacks on 31 dogs
involved in a recent investigation to determine if any of them were stolen.

     "Proper recordkeeping is one of the keys to putting an end to trading in
stolen pets," said Dunn.  "The legislative proposal we are considering will
give us some important tools, but we are also focusing our efforts on
enforcing recordkeeping requirements and pursuing tracebacks."




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     Dunn said, "USDA can't do it alone.  We will continue to need the help
of concerned citizens to report wrongdoing.  With only 74 inspectors to cover
over 13,000 animal venues, it is critically important that we have the eyes of
the public working with us to ensure that animals are not being mistreated or
abused."

     The first of three public forums on these issues was held Feb. 21-22 in
Kansas City, Mo.; the second is Feb. 23-24 in St. Louis, Mo.; and the third
will be held in Washington, D.C., at a later date.

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