Ten breeders and brokers, 473 USDA violations

BY OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer
Sunday, October 21, 2007
5/11/08 at 11:38 PM

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The violations include fouled or improper housing and inadequate veterinary care.

Substandard conditions at Oklahoma kennels have forced dogs to live in filthy conditions while others suffer with skin infections, parasites and diarrhea without veterinary care, a Tulsa World investigation shows.

The World has identifi ed 10 dog breeders and brokers with the highest number of violations during a three-year period. Combined, they have amassed 473 violations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, records show.

Through the Freedom of Information Act, the World obtained inspection records that shine light on Oklahoma dog breeders and their violations.

Between October 2003 and October 2006, 19,304 animals lived with feces underfoot or suffered with diseases or health complications without receiving proper veterinarian care, records show. Other animals were housed in rusty pens or kennel buildings that lacked adequate upkeep among other items found by the USDA.

The neglected animals included some cats and other animals. The records do not include breeders selling directly to the public and therefore exempt from USDA oversight.

USDA inspectors issue violations to commercial breeders and brokers who violate the federal Animal Welfare Act of 1966. A licensed broker is an individual who purchases animals from a breeder or other source for resale in the wholesale or retail market. Some brokers also provide animals to research facilities.

Shelia Gamblin recorded the most USDA infractions among Oklahoma’s 645 commercial breeders between 2003 and 2006, records show.

The USDA cited Gamblin’s kennel — S&W Kennels in Atoka — with 77 violations. Gamblin appears to have voluntarily surrendered her USDA license.

The USDA assessed a fine of $3,187 against Gamblin on Oct. 25, 2006, as part of a settlement agreement. The maximum penalty for a violation can be $3,750 per count per day in some cases, said Andrea McNally, USDA spokeswoman.

Gamblin could not be reached for comment.

Gamblin’s violations include: sick animals without proper veterinary care, urine and feces in dog pens, expired medicine and dog pens that needed painting and upkeep, inspection records show.

USDA records show that Gamblin’s kennel was inspected in August 2006 and found to be deficient in several areas. The USDA instructed Gamblin to correct the errors. A follow-up inspection in October 2006 found repeated violations and additional deficiencies.

Specific examples of Gamblins’ USDA violations are:

October 2006: Fecal matter and urine were standing on concrete runs. The dogs were having to walk around or through the waste. 59 dogs affected.

October 2006: Excessive number of flies outside the enclosure and inside the building. Fly spray was being used but the flies were not under control. 213 adults and 69 puppies affected.

August 2006: Dog #266 had hair missing all over face. The skin was crusty yellow. No vet had looked at the dog. Dog needs to be taken to the vet for proper treatment.

August 2006: Staph infection has been diagnosed on puppies and some adult dogs. Dogs need to be re-examined by vet and written documentation of the diagnosis and treatment made available upon inspection.

Henry Lee Cooper, owner of C&C Kennels, recorded the most infractions as a commercial broker. Located in Wewoka, Cooper received 48 violations during the three-year period examined. He declined the opportunity to comment.

Cooper’s USDA infractions include lack of veterinary care, feces in animal pens and lack of attention to facility upkeep, records show.

For example, a USDA infraction in October 2006 states: ‘‘Dogs #8355, #8381 and #8366 are very thin, have bloody stools and have tucked abdomens. All need to be seen by a veterinarian to assess their health and receive proper treatment.’’

Reda Ratliff had 23 USDA violations between 2003-2006 including sanitation, veterinary care, facility upkeep and feeding and watering violations. Ratliff is No. 6 on the top 10 list of breeders with USDA violations, records show. Her kennel is located in Jones.

Ratliff is the president of the Southeast Chapter of Oklahoma Pet Professionals, a group of dog breeders seeking to improve kennel conditions for animals while changing the public’s perception about commercial dog breeding.

Ratliff did not return calls made by the Tulsa World.

Fellow dog breeder Gary Phillips said Ratliff is working hard to comply with all USDA regulations. Phillips is the president of Northeast Chapter of Oklahoma Pet Professionals.

‘‘Anyone who knows Reda knows her to be very dedicated to the pet industry and to the education of new breeders into the pet industry,’’ Phillips said. ‘‘She is conscientious and tries to better industry standards.’’

USDA inspectors make unannounced visits to breeders and brokers in their area, said Jim Rogers, a USDA spokesman.

Noncompliances can add up and land a breeder or broker in USDA administrative court. The USDA has 105 inspectors nationwide. Oklahoma has seven inspectors assigned to the state with five of those living in the state.

Regulations include ensuring proper cage size, protection from the weather, sanitary conditions and adequate veterinary care for the animals.

In addition to inspecting dog kennels, the inspectors are responsible for inspecting facilities that use animals for research.

‘‘It’s kind of like a restaurant inspection in which deficiencies are flagged and the person can be given a chance to correct the noncompliances,’’ Rogers said. ‘‘It becomes a problem when there are repeat defi ciencies.’’

Associated Images:

While this dog pen meets the USDA requirements of adequate cage size, the sanitary conditions are a violation of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.