The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into Aaron Rhyner, DVM, a veterinarian with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This investigation marks the first time criminal charges are being considered against the USDA due to actions allegedly taken by Rhyner to enforce a revised version of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) without proper scrutiny. According to court documents and information from the House Oversight Committee, Rhyner and others involved in the revision of the HPA sought to bypass public comment and thorough examination, leading to accusations of government overreach.
The revised HPA introduces new requirements for horse events, including the presence of one Horse Protection Inspector (HPI) for every 100 horses, which poses significant logistical and financial challenges. These inspectors would have extensive access to all areas of event grounds and the ability to impound horses for 24 hours. Critics argue that these measures are excessive, especially given the USDA’s own data showing a 98.4% compliance rate within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, which has largely addressed the issue of “soring.”
Organizations like Western Justice are actively opposing the implementation of the revised HPA, claiming it threatens the viability of the horse industry in the United States. They argue that the new rules are driven by an animal extremist agenda and set a concerning precedent for increased regulation and policing in the industry. The debate continues as stakeholders in the horse community express concerns about the impact of these regulations on their events and operations.
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