VICTORY
Beagle Freedom Project is happy to announce a victory in our case against the USDA & APHIS!
In February, 2017, vital animal records related to laboratories, puppy mills, roadside zoos, circuses, and other animal-exploiting enterprises were illegally removed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.
Beagle Freedom Project, along with co-plaintiffs PETA, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Born Free USA, and Lewis & Clark Law School Assistant Clinical Professor and Animal Law Litigation Clinic Director Delcianna Winders filed the “USDA Blackout” litigation in 2017 and 2018 in order to force the agency to restore these vital records. The “USDA Blackout” litigation together with immense public pressure, inspired Congress in late 2019 to require the USDA to restore the records. Plaintiffs kept the lawsuits active until they could confirm that the agency was complying with Congress’ order to provide the public with information about its enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The settlement includes the USDA’s sworn statement that it has restored and will continue to provide public access to those records on its website.
“We are proud that we stuck to our ethics and our promise to the animals and saw this through, we will never let the animals live in the dark, their voices and plight will be heard,” Shannon Keith, Esq. President BFP
