Puppy Mill Bill, Named After Iowa Dog, Could Become Federal Law

Protections for Iowa dogs could become federal law, if two bills reintroduced by Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa 3) pass.

Nunn, three other Republicans and two Democrats, reintroduced former Rep. Cindy Axne’s (D) bipartisan bill, nicknamed Goldie’s Act.

The bill would crack down on loopholes for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and strengthen requirements for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections.

“Dogs are family members, and they deserve the best defense from people who would do them harm,” Nunn said in a press release. “These bipartisan bills are important to ensure better protection for dogs and to hold individuals accountable for cruel behavior.”

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In memory of Iowa dog

Goldie’s Act was named in memory of one of the dogs abused at the Wayne County puppy mill owned by Daniel Gingerich. Goldie, a golden retriever, was extremely malnourished, but her condition was never officially reported or noted as a violation of the AWA.

She was ultimately euthanized by state veterinarians when she was found emaciated and without water during a 2021 rescue operation performed by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

For years, Iowa’s puppy mill problem has made headlines, and Iowa consistently ranks high in the number of puppy mills with violations. In 2022, the Humane Society of the United States ranked Iowa second-worse for breeder violations, with 17. Only Missouri, with 26, had more.

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How new laws would change that

One of the main problems with regulating puppy mills, particularly in Iowa, is that inspectors fail to report breeders’ violations. Breeders who are reported are rarely punished or have their suffering animals removed. Violations also aren’t shared with local law enforcement.

Goldie’s Act would require the USDA to conduct more frequent inspections and require inspectors to document and report all violations, confiscate suffering animals, impose penalties for violations, and share information with law enforcement in a timely manner.

Nunn also introduced the Puppy Protection Act, to amend the AWA and codify operating procedures for places like puppy mills to ensure healthy living environments, adequate housing, regular veterinary appointments and healthy diets.

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Both parties like it

There was a time when Republicans actively mocked laws against animal cruelty, including this very bill, when Axne introduced it.

But both this version of Goldie’s Act and the Puppy Protection Act now have bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, and they are endorsed by the ASPCA and Wayne County Sheriff Keith Davis, who helped prosecute Gingerich in 2021.

“It was a horrific case of abuse, with hundreds of dogs in distress and filthy conditions that should never be repeated,” Davis said of Gingerich’s operation. “I am optimistic that under the bipartisan Goldie Act, we can avoid future animal abuse and hold the USDA accountable as well.”

Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

“Goldie’s Act–named after a dog who endured months of agony and pain under the USDA’s watch and suffered a preventable death in an Iowa puppy mill–will prevent thousands of other vulnerable dogs from meeting the same tragic and unacceptable fate at the hands of the federal agency obligated to protect them,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO.

“We urge Congress to include Goldie’s Act in the upcoming Farm Bill to ensure the USDA fulfills its responsibility under the law–and to taxpayers–to protect dogs bred and warehoused for the pet trade,” Bershadker continued.

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Nikoel Hytrek
3/30/23

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