Dog-breeding research company to be sentenced for inhumane treatment of Beagles and environmental violations

A Beagle photographed during an undercover investigation in 2022 into the Indiana toxicology lab operated by Inotiv. (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States and the American Veterinary Medical Association)

Envigo, an Indiana-based Beagle-breeding company for research purposes and one of the largest suppliers of laboratory animals in the United States, pled guilty to violating the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by neglecting thousands of dogs at its breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia. The company will be paying a fine of more than $35 million, representing the largest-ever fine in an animal welfare case, according to a news release.¹

The plea came on June 3, 2024, when Envigo pleaded guilty to 1 misdemeanor count of conspiring to knowingly violate the AWA. In addition, the company also pleaded guilty to 1 felony count of conspiring to knowingly violate the Clean Water Act (CWA),¹ which makes it illegal to release any pollutant into navigable waters unless through a permit.²

“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 US attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia, in a Department of Justice (DOJ) release.³ “The historic monetary penalties and significant compliance measures as part of these guilty pleas send a clear message: every company, in every industry, must have compliance and corporate responsibility as a critical part of their business model.”

As part of the plea agreement, Envigo will serve probation for a period of 3 to 5 years. Inotiv, Envigo’s parent company, agreed to pay $22 million in criminal fines ($11 million per violation), marking the highest fine ever imposed by the DOJ in an AWA case. Additionally, Inotiv will pay $13.5 million to support animal welfare and environmental projects, cover law enforcement costs, and improve its own facilities.

The criminal and civil investigations into Envigo by the DOJ were triggered after inspectors from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported more than 60 violations of animal welfare laws at the Class A dog breeding facility in Virginia between July 2021 and March 2022.

More than 50% of these violations were classified as “direct” or “critical” violations. Some of the concerns regarding Envigo’s facility included hazardous wire flooring, failing to provide veterinary care, unsanitary conditions, euthanasia of dogs without anesthesia, and a lack of documentation for the cause of death for hundreds of puppies.¹

The DOJ carried out a search warrant at the facility in May 2022. The complaint alleged that the company failed to meet the minimum standards of the AWA for handling, housing, feeding, watering, sanitation, and adequate veterinary care, among other requirements, according to a release.¹

Moreover, according to court documents, Envigo violated the AWA by failing to adequately operate and maintain its facility’s wastewater treatment plan.¹ As a result, “massive” amounts of improperly treated wastewater were illegally dumped into a local waterway, affecting the health and wellbeing of the community and the dogs at the facility.³

At the breeding facility, Envigo had more than 4,000 beagles onsite. The company settled civil charges that accused it of showing a “disregard” for the dogs' welfare and agreed to forfeit the thousands of Beagles it had onsite in June 2022.^1,3 The 4,000 beagles have since been put up for adoption.³

“Envigo’s violations of the Clean Water Act and the Animal Welfare Act directly resulted in the contamination of a local waterway, negatively impacting the health and wellbeing of the community, and the horrible suffering of over 4,000 Beagles. This precedent-setting case emphasizes the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities,” said Jason Miyares, Virginia attorney general, in a news release.^1,3

Envigo will also be required to adhere to stricter animal care standards and will be subject to a compliance monitor, a nationwide compliance plan, and other terms outlined in the agreements. The compliance monitor will oversee the company’s compliance to enhanced animal welfare requirements. Moreover, the company also agreed to shut down the facility, which was officially closed in September 2022.

The case was investigated by the USDA’s office of Inspector General and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Sentencing is set for October 7, 2024.

References

1. Envigo pleads guilty to neglecting dogs, faces $35M fine. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. July 24, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2024. https://www.avma.org/news/envigo-pleads-guilty-neglecting-dogs-faces-35m-fine?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news
2. Summary of the Clean Water Act. United States Environmental Protection Agency. June 12, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2024. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act#:~:text=The%20CWA%20made%20it%20unlawful,pipes%20or%20man%2Dmade%20ditches.
3. Animal breeder pleads guilty to animal welfare and pollution crimes and will pay more than $35M, including record fine in an animal welfare case. News release. United States Department of Justice. June 3, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/animal-breeder-pleads-guilty-animal-welfare-and-pollution-crimes-and-will-pay-more-35m https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/animal-breeder-pleads-guilty-animal-welfare-and-pollution-crimes-and-will-pay-more-35m