MDA to investigate Westminster livestock house

May 8, 2008

downedcow.jpgYesterday we blogged on a new Humane Society video that showed mistreatment of a “downed” cow at the Westminster livestock auction house.

Well, now the Maryland Department of Agriculture wants us to know they’re on the case.

Here’s Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson (bottom left) on the incident:

“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations … The report at the Westminster livestock auction is under investigation and we expect to have a determination with proposed regulatory action within two weeks.”

The Westminster auction is regulated and licensed by the MDA, and an inspector is required to be on-site while an auction is taking place. The one on duty April 22, when the video was shot, “was advised that the animal was down but was not aware of any mistreatment” and got involved the next day, after a complaint from the Humane Society.

The MDA points out that House Bill 227, passed this year by the General Assembly, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to penalize auction houses up to $10,000 when a regulation is broken.

And, according to the MDA:

Specifically in response to the Westminster Livestock Auction Market situation, MDA has reviewed and revised its protocols for inspectors at livestock auctions to include: reporting and tracking downed animals; officially informing the livestock auction management of action that must be taken; and following up the day after a sale to make sure that the appropriate disposition of any downed animals has taken place.

JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor

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Posted by The Daily Record | Filed Under agriculture, business, government, law, maryland 

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