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OBERLIN, Kan. (AP) ? An estimated 1,200 dogs at a Kansas kennel have been euthanized after an outbreak of distemper in Wyoming was linked to the operation.
Kansas Livestock Commissioner Bill Brown says the state started investigating a kennel near Oberlin in September after being contacted by Wyoming?s state veterinarian.
Brown said Wednesday that the Kansas Animal Health Department quarantined the kennel twice after distemper was diagnosed there.
"I've been here 21 years, and that is the biggest single-source episode of distemper I've ever seen," O'Toole said.
He also said he has never heard of any cases where that many dogs were euthanized at once.
Brown said the animals were "humanely euthanized" and called the decision "agonizing."
Fortin did not return the AP's request for comments, and his voicemail box was full.
This doesn't appear to be the first time his kennel operations have run into trouble.
The Department of Agriculture has sanctioned Fortin's kennels in the past for failure to keep adequate records, failure to treat sick animals and allowing trash to collect near spaces where dogs are kept, the AP reported.
A USDA spokesman said Fortin was fined $8,795 in February 2006 for violations, and was issued a warning letter in March for more violations as well as preventing inspectors from investigating his operation.
In recent years, the pet industry has been plagued by the mistreatment and abuse of dogs that commonly occur at puppy mills, a derogatory term for poorly run breeding operations.
The USDA released a report in May after inspectors visited 68 breeders in eight states said dogs across the U.S. were living and dying in horrific conditions.
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][/FONT][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]In the last 2 years, there has been significant media coverage concerning large-scale dog dealers (i.e., breeders and brokers)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]1 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]that failed to provide humane treatment for the animals under their care. The breeders, negatively referred to as "puppy mills," have stirred the interest of the public, Congress, animal rights groups, and others. Accordingly, we conducted an audit of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service?s (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) unit, which is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The audit focused on AC?s inspections of problematic dealers. It is the latest in a series of audits related to AWA.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]In our last audit on animals in research facilities,[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]3 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]we found that the agency was not aggressively pursuing enforcement actions against violators of AWA and that it assessed minimal monetary penalties against them.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]4 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]APHIS agreed to take corrective action by incorporating more specific guidance in its operating manual to address deficiencies in enforcement actions. It also agreed to revise its penalty worksheet to generate higher and more appropriate penalties. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Full text:[/FONT][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/33002-4-SF.pdf[/FONT][/FONT]
Re: Kansas - About 1,200 dogs euthanized after distemper outbreak
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on OIG?s Audit of USDA?s Inspection of Problematic Dog Dealers
WASHINGTON, May 25, 2010 ? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding OIG?s audit of USDA?s inspection of problematic dog dealers.
?As a staunch advocate for animal welfare, I take the findings in this report very seriously. Although the time period examined by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) occurred largely before I became Agriculture Secretary, the issues raised about the regulation of problematic dog dealers are very troubling, and under my watch, USDA will reinforce its efforts under its animal welfare responsibilities, including: tougher penalties for repeat offenders and greater consistent action to strongly enforce the law.
?The OIG?s audit process is an important part of our work at USDA, helping identify problems and enabling us to do our jobs better. APHIS has put together an action plan to address the OIG recommendations, as well as ensure the Agency enforces the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to the fullest extent possible. We are taking immediate actions to strengthen our enforcement of the AWA, specifically in the areas of enforcement, penalties and inspector training. I am committed to work with Congress to make resources available to carry out this plan, and am confident that the changes we are making will significantly strengthen our animal welfare program."
The mass euthanasia came after state authorities twice ordered the kennel be placed under quarantine since mid-October but tests indicated the disease was still present. The kennel owner, Jeff Fortin, said he had to destroy the dogs because he could not sell them and could no longer afford to pay his staff and feed the animals.
So how did an outbreak occur in a kennel inspected by both the Kansas Department of Animal Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, both of which require "a program of veterinary care?"
Experts say there's one reason:
"The dogs weren't vaccinated," said Karen Overall, a veterinarian research professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. "There's no reason to have an outbreak of anything as a breeder if the dogs are vaccinated, not stressed and have good food and water."
Wyoming state authorities confirmed 24 cases of distemper in puppies sold in pet stores that came from Fortin's kennel, the largest outbreak the state veterinarian said he'd ever seen, according to news reports.
Distemper has nothing to do with a dog's temperament. It is a viral disease that strikes the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. It is not curable but is treatable and proper isolation can protect unaffected dogs.
