citation_inspection: 40135

Opie, a four-year-old neutered male corgi dog in good physical condition, was accepted for consigned transport at approximately 1850 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 on Iowa at approximately midmorning on 05January2023. The dog was deceased on arrival. During a two-hour phone conversation held between the transporter, the Animal Care Transportation Specialist, and the Inspector on 07June2023 at 1 pm ET, the transporter stated that the dog was allowed to roam about in the minivan during transport and that he took the dog out of the van on leash to walk him outside. A video of Opie being walked on a single leash outside on a sidewalk was sent to the consignor the day after transport started. A text message confirming that the dog was allowed to ride loose in the minivan was received by the consignor. Allowing the dog to roam loose in a moving vehicle put this dog at significant risk of injury and death should an accident have occurred. Walking the dog outside in an uncontained area put this dog at significant risk of escape or injury. The regulations state that removal during transportation in commerce is prohibited. Except during the cleaning of the primary enclosures, as required in 3.15(b), during transportation in commerce a dog must not be removed from its primary enclosure, unless it is placed in another primary enclosure or facility that meets the requirements of 3.6 or 3.15. Correct by 20June2023. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the registrant. Additional Inspectors: CHAD MOORE, Transportation Field Specialist n