ASPCA: USDA Licensed Breeder in Iowa Surrenders More than 500 Dogs Living in Horrific Conditions

SEYMOUR, Iowa, Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At the request of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL), in coordination with the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), is assisting with the removal, transport, and sheltering of more than 500 dogs and puppies currently in the care of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed breeder in Seymour, Iowa. Daniel Gingerich agreed to surrender all of the animals in his care after the USDA documented more than 190 violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

The complaint against Gingerich, filed by the DOJ, detailed horrific conditions at multiple locations in Iowa where Gingerich kept dogs, including dead dogs, dogs with untreated injuries and illnesses, like parvo and distemper, dogs with painful fur matting, dogs in cages that were too small, and moldy food.

The ARL is overseeing the rescue operation and sheltering, medical needs and care of the animals, while partnering with the ASPCA who is assisting in operational planning, field removal and medical care, as well as supporting veterinary forensic exams, transport, legal and investigative assistance, and providing essential emergency sheltering supplies. The Animal Rescue Corps, Bissell Pet Foundation, First Medical Inc., Hills Foundation, Iowa State University, RedRover, Wayside Waifs and Wisconsin Humane Society will also support this case by providing responders to assist with transporting and providing daily care, food and supplies for the animals.

The rescue process began Thursday, October 14 with the removal of approximately 30 animals in acute medical distress. Since then, more than 200 additional dogs and puppies have been rescued over the course of several days as the removal efforts continue. The dogs that have remained on the properties throughout the process have and continue to receive daily care.

Tom Colvin, CEO at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa stated, "The light is shining on bad actors in the dog breeding industry as a result of this action by the Department of Justice. A new approach of stopping them before animals suffer is long overdue. We are thankful to all our partners in putting an end to this operation specifically, and we look forward to making this a step toward large-scale change."

"We are grateful to the Department of Justice for taking action to finally remove hundreds of animals from the horrifying cruelty and neglect that they were left to suffer in at the hands of this USDA licensed breeder," said Robert Hensley, Legal Advocacy Senior Counsel for the ASPCA. "This shocking cruelty is a predictable result of the USDA's customer service policy through which they substitute education and cooperation for enforcement, allowing the very animals they have a legal and moral obligation to protect to endure prolonged and extreme suffering. We thank Animal Rescue League of Iowa for stepping up to remove these animals from harm's way, and we are proud to support their efforts."  

"Our hearts broke when we learned of the situation so many dogs are living through." said Geoff Hall, Wayside Waifs' President, "But thanks to donor support, we're extremely grateful to have the ability to help our animal welfare colleagues save these dogs' lives."

The ARL, along with its partners appreciates public support as they undertake one of the largest rescues in recent history. This has been a long process and all involved hope a light is shining onto a very large breeding issue in the state of Iowa and across the country.

About Animal Rescue League of Iowa
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter, caring for thousands of pets each year.  The ARL serves people and pets from across the state through pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and much more.  For more information, visit ARL-Iowa.org, @arliowa.

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Wayside Waifs
As Kansas City's largest and most comprehensive no kill pet adoption campus, Wayside Waifs prepares pets and people for the bond of their lives. Each year the organization cares for more than 6,000 abandoned, abused, and homeless animals. Wayside is a private, independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity. It receives no government funding and is supported entirely by private donations and grants. To see all of the animals available for adoption or to donate, please visit www.WaysideWaifs.org.

Facebook: WaysideWaifs; Twitter: @WaysideWaifs; Instagram: @WaysideWaifs

About WHS
The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and largest shelter in Wisconsin, annually serving 40,000 animals and the people who love them. WHS is an independent nonprofit and receives no general government funding and is not part of any national umbrella group. WHS operates shelters in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Brown and Door Counties, as well as a spay/neuter clinic in West Allis.  The organization offers adoption services, youth programs, veterinary services, retail stores, wildlife rehabilitation, training classes and more. WHS is ranked 4 stars by Charity Navigator, the premier independent charity watchdog group. To learn more, visit www.wihumane.org.

About Animal Rescue Corps
Since 2010, Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection nonprofit, has provided large-scale animal rescue for communities that lack resources to address abuse and disaster themselves. In addition to emergency rescue, ARC offers education and shelter relief. ARC's mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals. To learn more about Animal Rescue Corps, visit: animalrescuecorps.org

About RedRover
Since 1987, RedRover has focused on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance, and humane education. With more than 4,600 trained volunteers in the United States and Canada, RedRover can deploy its volunteers quickly when communities become overburdened by a crisis involving large numbers of animals. In its 34-year history, RedRover has responded to more than 230 natural disasters and other crises around the country including the Camp, Carr, and Wall fires, Hurricanes Harvey and Katrina, the Oroville Dam crisis, and more. To learn more about how RedRover is creating a more compassionate world, please visit RedRover.org.

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SOURCE ASPCA