Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it is restoring certain formerly-redacted portions of USDA dealer/breeder licensee records on its searchable online database.
In 2017, APHIS removed certain records from its database to address potential privacy concerns. APHIS then reposted most of the documents, but attempted to protect private information by redacting certain personally identifiable information. However, last year’s federal agricultural appropriations legislation required those records be restored. In response, APHIS has restored those records. APHIS is also expected to post within the next 60 days non-redacted records created since the 2019 legislation passed. These records will include names, addresses, Animal Welfare Act (AWA) inspection reports (including any non-compliant items), animal inventories, teachable moments, and final AWA and Horse Protection Act enforcement records. Records will remain available on APHIS’s website for a period of three years from posting.
Click here to read AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) December 5, 2019, alert regarding publishing of private information.
Click here to read a letter from USDA APHIS to AWA licensees and registrants.
AKC GR will continue to provide information on developments on this and other dog-related legislation and regulations from the federal government. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.