05/17/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/18/2021 08:59
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi reintroduced the bipartisan Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act (AWEIA) to improve Animal Welfare Act (AWA) enforcement by strengthening the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) licensing process for animal dealers and exhibitors.
'The Animal Welfare Act is a crucial piece of legislation for protecting animals, but it must be effectively enforced and that's why reintroducing the Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act is necessary,' Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. 'This legislation will end rampant animal cruelty by increasing oversight and transparency of animal dealer and exhibitor licensing while ensuring that those who abuse animals don't have the chance to do so again.'
Animal dealers and exhibitors - including commercial dog-breeders, circuses, zoos, educational displays, petting farms/zoos, animal acts, wildlife parks, marine mammal parks, and some animal sanctuaries - are required to obtain a license and comply with the AWA. Dealers and exhibitors must renew their licenses each year. However, the current process relies on self-certification, and USDA's stated policy is to rubber-stamp renewals, even in cases where the licensee is committing ongoing violations that endanger animals. This system currently has a lack of oversight and accountability that leads to risks to animal safety and welfare, like those seen on the Netflix show Tiger King. The Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act strengthens AWA enforcement and the licensing process to hold dealers and exhibitors accountable. The Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act has been endorsed by Animal Welfare Institute, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Key provisions of the legislation include: