2024 veterinary news in review: #1

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The dvm360 editorial team has been counting down our Top 20 news stories and articles of the year, from January 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Rank was determined by measurable audience interest and engagement.

In the final installment of 20-part series, the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year is shared. The following article is No. 1 on the list:

USDA permanently revokes license of Virginia breeders

written by Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA

Originally published January 11, 2024

A pair of animal breeders in Virginia recently had their Animal Welfare Act (AWA) license permanently revoked by an order of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that cited numerous violations. The USDA and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office also oversaw the surrender of approximately 200 animals in the care of breeders Elena Mikirticheva and Andrey Mikirtichev of North Chesterfield, Virginia, who are also facing more than $300,000 in civil penalties.^1,2

“The humane treatment of animals has always been a top priority of APHIS, and we use all available resources to carry out this goal,” said Roxanne Mullaney, DVM, deputy administrator for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care Program, in an agency release.¹ “We applaud the work of our inspectors and our partners, and value the partnerships that help ensure enforcement of the AWA.”

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Under court order, approximately 45 animals were surrendered to USDA, which placed the animals for adoption through shelters and rescue organizations in Virginia. The federal agencies also worked with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office to seize more than 150 more animals at the facility for placement with the Humane Society of the United States.²

The actions and penalties imposed upon the defendants are part of preliminary injunction relief issued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged pervasive mistreatment of animals. The relief was ordered by US District Judge David J. Novak for the Eastern District of Virginia to replace a temporary restraining order that cited more than 50 AWA violations—identified by APHIS inspections—for failure to provide adequate shelter, medical care, and other animal care to cats and dogs.² The pair of breeders also failed to provide access to USDA inspectors.¹

For more on this story, including the legal filings of APHIS, view the full article: https://www.dvm360.com/view/usda-permanently-revokes-license-of-virginia-breeders