Dog in cage.
(Stock Picture Credit: capannelle/Getty Images)

Save A Dog: Hundreds Of Dogs Rescued From ‘Shocking Cruelty’ Of Inhumane Breeder In Iowa

Hundreds of dogs have finally been rescued from Daniel Gingerich, an Iowa dog breeder. Gingerich was issued multiple violations under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) six months ago.

In a statement from the Department of Justice, as reported by NBC News, Gingerich was accused of violations across every category of the AWA’s requirements for a compliant facility.

The court’s document cited a veterinarian from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). She voiced that she had “never encountered” a USDA licensee with such “a level of chronic and repeat noncompliance.”

Daniel Gingerich’s Inhumane Breeding Facility

Gingerich left puppies at his facility unvaccinated for parvovirus and distemper, “resulting in multiple disease outbreaks,” said the DOJ.

None of the standards for animal welfare were at all provided. This includes vet care, a livable climate, appropriate or clean enclosures, or access to potable water, nor was there a management system in place to maintain a record of the animals, or to even identify them.

Furthermore, an inspection found “moldy” and “deteriorating” food with an “excessive amount of wood shavings.”

“During one recent inspection, APHIS inspectors observed a severely emaciated Golden Retriever, several dogs with untreated and painful eye conditions, and a non-responsive puppy that died moments later,” the DOJ said in their statement.

Why Did This Rescue Take So Long?

Gingerich was first licensed by the USDA to breed dogs back in October 2019. He received over 100 violations from the AWA six months ago.

Yet, a motion wasn’t filed for a restraining order until September 28th, 2021.

The DOJ’s statement cited evasion as a possible reason why this took so long. Gingerich “repeatedly evaded, or attempted to evade,” various inspection attempts, it says. But the APHIS was still able to gain access to the property in March of 2021.

According to a group statement from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the removal of dogs from the property didn’t start until October 14th, 2021.

NBC’s report provides no further indication as to why this process is so lengthy.

“The light is shining on bad actors in the dog breeding industry as a result of this action by the Department of Justice,” Tom Colvin, CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said in the DOJ’s statement. “A new approach of stopping them before animals suffer is long overdue.”

Verdict For Daniel Gingerich & How You Can Help

For the time being, Daniel Gingerich has forfeited all of the dogs and must now “permanently refrain” from any activities that require an AWA license.

Given the severity of the violations, as expressed vividly in the DOJ’s statement, this punishment seems woefully short of what it should be. Perhaps further court rulings will rectify this.

In the meantime, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa is currently housing and providing care to many of the rescued dogs. They’re asking for help in the form of donations and, eventually, adoptions.

You can donate to them here and find more about their adoption process here. And make sure to spread their story on social media to help get the word out!

What kind of legal consequences do you think cruel breeders like Daniel Gingerich should face? Would you adopt one of the dogs rescued from this breeding facility? Let us know in the comments below.

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