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MDA investigating HSUS’s complaint toward livestock auction
5.13.2008
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is investigating a report of inhumane treatment of a non-ambulatory cow at the Westminster Livestock Auction in Westminster, Md., on the evening of April 22 following a complaint by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations and has been working to update and make them more stringent,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. “The report at the Westminster Livestock Auction is under investigation and we expect to have a determination with proposed regulatory action within two weeks.”
MDA licenses and regulates livestock auctions in the state and has an inspector on-site when an auction is taking place.
The MDA inspector on duty at the Westminster auction was advised that the animal was down, but the department said the inspector was not aware of any mistreatment. The inspector responded the next day when notified of the HSUS complaint.
During April and May, HSUS investigators visited auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas and videotaped downer cows at each stop — animals left to suffer for hours and in one instance overnight.
SHUS executives brought preliminary evidence of the abuse to the attention of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer earlier this month at a face-to-face meeting, and Secretary Schafer has promised to examine the issue.
The HSUS urged Schafer to expedite regulations that would require more humane treatment of animals destined for the food supply, at every step from producer to slaughter.
The HSUS said it particularly urges USDA to close the loophole that allows some downer cows to be slaughtered for consumption.
MDA has clear regulations governing the humane treatment of livestock at auction markets and each licensed market is provided a copy of the rules and protocols that they are required to follow.
MDA has taken action to strengthen its penalties against anyone who violates state animal health laws and regulations.
House Bill 227, proposed by MDA and passed by the 2008 General Assembly, gives the Maryland secretary of agriculture the authority to issue fines of up to $10,000 in cases where these laws and regulations are broken.
In addition, MDA is currently reviewing its livestock market and dealer regulations to determine what actions are needed to strengthen them.
Specifically in response to the Westminster Livestock Auction Market situation, MDA has reviewed and revised its protocols for inspectors at livestock auctions to include: Reporting and tracking downed animals; officially informing the livestock auction management of action that must be taken; and following up the day after a sale to make sure that the appropriate disposition of any downed animals has taken place.
“We have been in the process of revamping our laws, regulations and protocols that safeguard the health and welfare of the livestock under our jurisdiction for years,” said state veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus.