The Envigo Breeding and Research Facility in Cumberland, Virginia has been cited 60 times as of July 2021 for “non-AWA compliance.”
CUMBERLAND, Va. – Editor’s Note: The video above originally aired on April 4.
The Justice Department is seeking a temporary injunction against a dog breeding facility in Virginia for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), according to a Complaints filed on Thursday.
First WUSA9 report on the allegations against Envigo breeding and research facility in Cumberland, Virginia on April 1. The company is contracted to breed dogs for research purposes and scientific experiments – regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
On Wednesday, 145 dogs and puppies “in a state of acute distress” were taken from the facility by USDA investigators, according to the DOJ’s lawsuit.
“Envigo’s disregard for the law and the welfare of the eagles in its care has resulted in the animals suffering needless suffering and in some cases death,” the complaint said. DOJ complaint said.
From July 2021 to present, the facility has 5,000 beagles, which have been cited 60 times in less than a year for “non-AWA compliance”. The DOJ complaint says more than half of the citations are considered the most serious type of AWA citation. The complaint also alleges that Envigo did not hire enough staff to properly care for its eagles, that it chose to feed the dogs when they suffered preventable injuries from overcrowding or The barn was unsanitary instead of providing treatment, and when the dog died, the facility didn’t do it right. investigate their deaths.
“When 300 beagles died in 7 months of ’cause unknown’, Envigo failed to properly investigate and diagnose the cause of death to save other beagles from similar deaths.” written complaint.
U.S. Secretary Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) had previously urged the Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to suspend the facility’s license for “repeatedly failing to provide care.” full squirrel” for the eagles. Warner and Kaine also raised concerns about the USDA’s delay in releasing findings from the inspections.
“While APHIS inspection reports have proven an invaluable resource in uncovering the breadth and depth of abuse that occurs at Envigo facilities, we are concerned,” the senators wrote. regarding the delay in the publication of such reports. after the inspection to review the inspection report findings. “
The senators said they appreciated the complexity of the reports and the immense care that animal care professionals take in preparing them but also said it was unacceptable that the public and Elected officials did not learn of the horrific violations until months after the inspection occurred and the animals suffered in the interim.
When WUSA9 reached out to Envigo in April for comment, a spokesperson said it was making progress in improving conditions at the Cumberland facility, toward its goal of one in every 100 dogs. caretakers and has adopted nearly 500 of the 5,000 adopted dogs. there.
