USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
Regulatoryregulatory bodyWashington, DC
Federal agency responsible for licensing and inspecting animal breeding facilities under the Animal Welfare Act.
Personnel
Scott WelchVeterinary Medical Officer
Related Facts (9)
B1USDA December 2023: 'Some of the weaned puppies and preweaning-aged puppies in eleven enclosures were observed to have feet or legs pass through the smooth-coated mesh floors.'#23
C1The December 2023 USDA inspection found puppies' feet passing through flooring — the same issue DATCP cited in 2016, seven years earlier.#60
C1All 28 of Ridglan Farms' USDA inspection records were prepared by the same USDA Veterinary Medical Officer: Scott Welch.#88
C1When USDA inspector Welch worked alone, he documented violations at Ridglan only 4% of the time (1 of ~25 inspections).#89
C1When Welch was accompanied by other USDA staff, the violation rate jumped to 50%. When accompanied by USDA Animal Care Specialists, the rate was 100%.#90
C1The USDA recorded no violations in 25 of 28 inspection records — while DATCP, inspecting the same facility, found 311 violations.#91
F1Ridglan Farms holds both a USDA Class A license (breeder) and a USDA Class R license (research facility).#93
F1In 2023, 450 dogs experienced pain without relief (USDA Column E) — a 20% increase from 2022. These dogs experience the full toxic effects of test substances without any pain mitigation.#125
F1Dog usage in US labs peaked at over 200,000 per year in the late 1970s-early 1980s. By 2024 it had declined to approximately 42,880 — but use for regulated toxicology testing has actually increased.#126