Letter to the editor: Goldie's Act will save dogs' lives

A dog known only as Golden Retriever No. 142 was raised in a USDA licensed puppy mill in Iowa, one of hundreds of dogs living in horrific conditions. She died there after months of suffering extreme neglect. USDA inspectors were witness to her deterioration and were responsible for protecting her yet took no action to save her.

In response, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced Goldie’s Act (House Resolution 6100) to ensure that no more animals meet Goldie’s fate in USDA-licensed commercial breeding facilities. Goldie’s Act would require inspectors to take welfare violations seriously and to intervene in cases of suffering dogs. It also would require imposition of meaningful penalties for violations and direct inspectors to share evidence of violations with local law enforcement.

This act will bring much-needed reform in the USDA’s enforcement policies. Congress must pass Goldie’s Act to ensure that the USDA honors its responsibility to these animals. I urge my representative, Mike Doyle, to cosponsor and pass Goldie’s Act to protect vulnerable dogs and puppies.

Micah Wintner

Munhall