Keep records public

Until recently, online records for United States Department of Agriculture-licensed dog breeders were available to the public. This information, public and paid for by taxpayers, helps consumers find out more about commercial dog breeders, horse trainers and owners, roadside zoos, and similar information.

In January, these records were no longer available online. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) relies on these records that contain information for approximately 9,000 animal facilities. Instead of having immediate online access, the HSUS will be required to submit Freedom of Information Act requests to the USDA, which may take weeks or months to process.

Pet stores selling puppies will have a difficult, if not impossible, time complying with laws requiring them to know where the puppies came from. This means puppy-mill operators will be “under the radar” and the USDA won’t be maintaining any records about them.

The USDA says its decision to take down the records is “not final.” Some annual reports have been restored, but this represents a fraction of the information once available. Records for most dog breeders and for all horse trainers remain hidden.

If you care anything about animals, please contact your U.S. representatives and senators to ask them to have the USDA restore all animal-welfare inspection reports and records. To accept this as it now stands is unconscionable.

JO K. JOHNSON Maumelle