citation_inspection

During consigned vehicle transportation from Delaware to Iowa, a dog was found deceased in a crate in the transport vehicle upon arrival at the Iowa location. The carrier was unaware that the dog had died until he and the receiving person in Iowa opened the crate and found it dead. This information was verified by the registrant and the Iowa receiver. Handling a dog in a manner that does not ensure good health can result in serious compromise of health and can lead to the death of the animal. 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.

During the 2-hour interview with Mr. Council, he was asked if he received the required statements from the consignor regarding when the dog had last been offered food and water. Mr. Council stated that he did not receive this information and was unaware of this requirement. The necropsy report for this animal states that the dog was severely dehydrated and was not properly fed or watered during transport. During a phone call with the veterinarian who conducted the necropsy, they stated that "there was no ingesta in the stomach or small colon and only the dark tarry material in the large colon" and that "the dog had been dead for at least 12 hours prior to the necropsy, based on the level of post-mortem changes." Not verifying when the animal last received food or water and not using that information to determine future food and water times can lead to an animal not being properly fed or hydrated during transportation, which can lead to the animal’s death. The regulations state that carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a dog for transport in commerce unless the consignor certifies in writing to the carrier that the dog was offered food and water during the 4 hours before delivery to the carrier. The certification must be securely attached to the outside of the primary enclosure in a manner that makes it easily noticed and read. Correct by 20June2023.

The necropsy report conducted on a dog found deceased at the end of a 5 day transport stated that the patient "is severely dehydrated, eyes are sunken in, and has dark, tarlike stools. Can confirm that patient was not fed or watered during transport due to the severity of malnourishment." During a phone conversation with the veterinarian who conducted the necropsy, they stated that "there was no ingesta in the stomach or small colon and only the dark tarry material in the large colon." They stated that they believed "the dog had been dead for at least 12 hours prior to the necropsy, based on the level of post-mortem changes." Although Mr. Council stated during a 2-hour interview that he had fed and watered the dog adequately, the necropsy results dispute his statement. Not providing adequate food and water in a timely manner can result in significant health concerns for the animals and can result in death of the animals. The regulations state that each dog that is 16 weeks of age or more must be offered food at least once every 24 hours. Each dog must be offered palatable water at least once every 12 hours. Correct by 20June2023.

During the two-hour interview with Mr. Council, he stated that the dog was allowed to roam about in the van during transport on occasion and that he took the dog out of the van on leash to walk it outside. A video of him walking the dog on a single leash outside on a sidewalk was sent to the consignor on the day after transport started. Taking a dog out of its transport enclosure during transit can result in injury to the animal or its escape. 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