Akaka claims that Class B dealers acquire "tens of thousands of dogs and cats," and that "many" of these animals are "family pets" obtained from middle-men who "resort to theft and deception as they collect animals and sell them to Class B dealers." It is unlikely however that any such complaints have emanated from Sen. Akaka's constituents since according to the USDA's most recent Animal Welfare Act annual report only one cat and no dogs were used in research, teaching, or testing in the state of Hawaii in 2002.
Unfortunately, S. 2346 is predicated on many factual errors. Reading Akaka's statement, one might believe that there is a massive problem in this country of stolen pets ending up in research facilities. It is true that claims along these lines have been a rallying cry among animal activists since the 1960s. However, Congress, the USDA, and the research community have worked together since then to make significant changes that should reassure the American public about the safety of family pets.
Furthermore, even as provisions to assure pet safety have been implemented, the numbers of dogs and cats used in research has steadily declined. In 1973 when the USDA first collecting statistics, approximately 195,000 dogs and 66,000 cats were used in research, teaching, and testing. In 1993, that number had declined to 106,000 dogs and nearly 34,000 cats. By 2002, the numbers had declined further to some 68,000 dogs and 24,000 cats. These totals represent all dogs and cats including those supplied by animal breeders, pounds and shelters, and random source animal dealers. The number of animals needed for research should also be compared with what is conservatively estimated as several million unwanted dogs and cats that are put to death in pounds each year.
Many research institutions are located where there are state laws, local ordinances, or internal policies to prohibit pounds and shelters from providing animals for research. Class B dealers provide a necessary service by supplying them with animals that breeders cannot produce. S. 2346 would not only prohibit Class B dealers from supplying these animals, it would also require pounds and shelters to register with the USDA in order to do so. Going through a registration process in order to perform a public service may be one hurdle too many for hard-pressed pounds and shelters, and some may decide that it is not worth their effort.
The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act was originally passed in 1966 to protect family pets from unscrupulous animal dealers. Congress has since approved a number of new pet protection provisions as part of what is now known as the Animal Welfare Act. Over the past decade, the USDA has significantly stepped up its enforcement efforts, putting a number of non-compliant animal dealers out of business. This includes frequent inspections of problem dealers and audits of their records to trace dogs and cats back to the individuals listed on identification records as the original owner. The success rate of such trace back audits is now around 96%. These enforcement efforts should be continued, but no new legislation is needed to assure the safety of family pets.
of course there wouldn't be a paper trail of such things. I'm not saying the labs are aware of where the pets came from, but I am saying they likely don't care and don't ask. You ignore the other 6 links I posted where it is obvious and well known that class b dealers do this and it is common practice.
