citation_inspection: 40129

Opie, a four-year-old neutered male corgi dog in good physical condition per the consignor and transporter, was accepted for consigned transport at approximately 6:50 PM ET on 30December2022 in Townsend, Delaware. The dog was transported in a crate in the transporter’s minivan. The dog was delivered to the receiver in Jesup, Iowa at approximately midmorning on 05January2023. The dog was found cold, stiff, and clearly deceased when the transporter and receiver opened the crate together in the transporter’s van at the receiver’s site. The transporter was unaware that the dog had died while in his possession. This information was verified by the transporter and the Iowa receiver. Additional detailed information is documented in the Field Service Report generated by the Captain of the Delaware Health and Social Services Animal Welfare Division, dated 06April2023. During a two-hour phone conversation held with the transporter, the Animal Care Transportation Specialist, and the Inspector on 07June2023 at 1 pm ET, the transporter stated that he had no knowledge or records of the frequency of or the times when he checked on the dog, provided it with appropriate husbandry, food and water, or when he last saw the dog alive. Upon discovery of the deceased dog, the receiver immediately took the body to their veterinarian, who conducted a necropsy soon after. The veterinarian stated in the necropsy report dated 05January2023 that “the patient was emaciated and covered with dirt and urine. After further examination, patient is severely dehydrated, eye are sucken in (sic), and has dark tar-like stools. Can confirm that patient was not fed or watered, due to severity of malnourishment.” The veterinarian stated by phone conversation with the Inspector on 15June2023 that "there was no ingesta in the stomach or small colon and only the dark tarry material in the large colon and the dog had been dead for at least 12 hours prior to the necropsy, based on the level of post-mortem changes." By not providing routine husbandry and health observations, and not providing food and water, the transporter did not ensure the dog’s continued good health, which resulted in serious compromise of its health and led to the starvation and dehydration death of this dog. The regulations state that handling of all animals shall be done as expeditiously and carefully as possible in a manner that does not cause trauma, overheating, excessive cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort. Correct by 20June2023.