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APS Opposes Non-purpose Bred Animal Restrictions
Update >>Language banning the sale of dogs and cats from Class B Dealers to medical research facilities was stripped from the final version of the Farm Bill. Instead the bill directs the USDA to report to Congress the findings of a study on the subject commissioned in and earlier bill.
On July 26 the “Pet Safety and Protection Act,” (H.R. 1280) was offered as an amendment to the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) and approved by voice vote. This measure purports to protect pets by banning the sale of non-purpose bred dogs and cats (also called “random-source animals”) for medical research, teaching and testing. It eliminates Class “B” dealers as a source of these animals and places onerous restrictions on pounds and shelters willing to release unwanted animals to research—restrictions that do not apply to shelters that simply euthanize these animals.
This is a flawed approach. Instead of improving the existing protections, the bill makes it impossible for researchers to obtain non-purpose bred dogs or cats needed to study certain diseases. Supporters of the bill claim that purpose bred dogs and cats can replace non-purpose bred animals without hindering research efforts, but research experts disagree. Purpose bred animals are young, small and have similar genetic backgrounds—traits that are valuable for some kinds of research but not for others. Non-purpose bred animals vary widely with regard to size, age, health and genetics. Advanced age is important in the study of diseases associated with aging such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and Type 2 diabetes. Differences in genetic background and health history are valuable in pre-clinical research. They provide a better representation of the variation in the human patient population. The similar genetic backgrounds and ages of purpose bred animals can skew research results. Non-purpose bred animals are also useful in veterinary medicine because they represent a more comprehensive set of ages and breeds.
The House language is unnecessary because legislation is already in place to protect both pets and research animals. The Animal Welfare Act requires dealers to obtain animals legally and treat them humanely and the 1992 Pet Theft Act addressed pet safety concerns. The Israel-Doyle language does not, however, address the greatest documented cause of pet theft—illegal dog fighting. According to the Humane Society of the U.S., “A single fighting dog has likely killed dozens of animals before entering the ring for competition, and most of the victims used in this 'blooding' process are believed to be former pets.”
There are fewer than a dozen Class “B” dealers who provide non-purpose bred dogs and cats for research, but they perform an essential role in the growing number of states where local laws prohibit pounds from releasing animals for research. Congress can ensure pet safety and make sure that life-saving research can continue by providing the USDA with the enforcement resources it needs.