Goldie, known only as Golden Retriever #142 when she was still alive, suffered for months at the hands of a cruel commercial dog breeder while the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) took no action. Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349) would help to make sure that no other animal endures what Goldie endured.The USDA is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, a federal law that sets minimum standards for the treatment and care of animals in certain types of commercial facilities. Despite this obligation, the USDA has repeatedly failed to ensure that animals in federally licensed facilities, like puppy mills, are not being abused or mistreated. In Goldie’s case, USDA inspectors noted her severe neglect over the course of several months. She was emaciated and had untreated wou
