Animal Exhibit Can No Longer Be Licensed

RIVERDALE, MD., Dec. 30, 1999 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Sara Trotter, a licensed animal exhibitor doing business in Knob Noster, MO., have agreed to a consent decision and order regarding violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

"In Trotter's instance, we believe it would be best if she was never allowed another license to exhibit animals," said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area.

Trotter neither admitted nor denied any violations of the AWA but agreed to a civil penalty of $1,000 and permanent disqualification from becoming licensed again.

The AWA requires that regulated individuals and businesses provide animals with care and treatment according to the standards established by APHIS.  Animals protected by the law must be provided with adequate housing, handling, sanitation, food, water, transportation, veterinary care, and shelter.

The law covers animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research, or used for exhibition purposes.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like an interview concerning this or any other AWA related issue please contact Jim Rogers at (301) 734-8563 or jim.d.rogers@usda.gov, or Laura Sanchez at (301) 734-5974 or laura.d.sanchez@usda.gov.