Dog Breeder Hit with Record-Setting Fine for Animal Welfare Case
A Virginia company that bred beagles for medical research was ordered to pay $35 million in fines for animal neglect and other charges stemming from its breeding facility in Cumberland County.
Prosecutors call it the largest fine on record stemming from an animal welfare case.
The fine comes after Envigo RMS and Envigo Global Services pleaded guilty to charges that include conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act and conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act.
The investigation drew national attention in 2022 when federal agents conducted a search of the facility and found nearly 450 dogs in acute distress.
The 4,000 beagles at the facility were later relinquished and sent around the nation for adoption.
Prosecutors say Envigo failed to provide adequate veterinary care, adequate staffing and safe living conditions for the beagles, even while making $15 million in revenue on the sale of the dogs between 2019 and 2022.
In addition, the company failed to properly maintain and operate a wastewater treatment plant at the breeding facility, which led to unlawful discharges of wastewater into a local waterway. It also impacted the health and well-being of the dogs.
“Envigo promoted a business culture that prioritized profit and convenience over following the law. This callous approach led to dire consequences: the inhumane treatment of animals and the contamination of our waterway,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia.
“Everyone victimized in this precedent-setting animal welfare case deserved better: the workers, the beagles, the environment and the community. Envigo deserves every dollar of its record fine,” said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator David Uhlmann.
As part of the plea deal, Envigo’s parent company Inotiv, is banned from breeding or selling dogs in the future. The entities will also serve three to five years of probation.
The total criminal fine is $22 million, $11 million for each violation.
Also, $1.1 million will be paid to the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force and $1.9 million to the Humane Society of the United States for assistance provided in the investigation.
The companies must pay an additional $3.5 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to restore the environment and ecosystems in Cumberland County and spend at least $7 million to improve their facilities and personnel.
The Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.