I love every dog, and I cannot stand by while the agency that is supposed to protect breeding dogs argues in court that it does not have to.
The ASPCA is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over how it enforces the Animal Welfare Act in Iowa. According to the lawsuit and reporting this week, the USDA repeatedly renewed the license of breeder Steve Kruse despite past animal-welfare violations, and licensed his associates. Court filings allege the result was a "puppy laundering" scheme that hid Kruse's role in supplying puppies to out-of-state retailers. Filings also say the USDA licensed another breeder, Christine Snakenberg, at Kruse's own address just days after his license was canceled in September 2025.
On October 20, the USDA told the court that none of the Act's enforcement provisions are mandatory, that enforcement is discretionary, and that the case is moot because several breeders surrendered or let their licenses lapse. Meanwhile, the real cost shows up in dogs. Reporting describes hundreds of Kruse's dogs cycling through associates' facilities, and six puppies that appeared to have frozen to death at a Van Buren County kennel in 2023. In June 2026, 32 dogs were seized from another Iowa breeder, Wuanita Swedlund, after a federal inspection found 20 violations. She has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of animal neglect, with trial set for December 18.
Secretary Rollins announced stepped-up enforcement on October 6, 2026. I am asking her to prove it. Secretary Rollins, please:
1. Review and, where warranted, revoke licenses issued to associates of breeders whose licenses were canceled, starting with the license reported at Kruse's address.
2. Direct USDA to stop arguing that it has no duty to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, and commit to enforcing it.
3. Publish how many breeding facilities have been inspected and cited since October 6.
Dogs in commercial breeding facilities depend on inspectors to be their voice. Please sign, and I will deliver your signature to Secretary Rollins.
