Federal Authority Opens Investigation After Finding Dead Animals, Poor Housing, Lack of Vet Care and Other Major Violations of Law at Supplier to Government, Laboratories, and Pet Trade
For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2011
Contact:
Robbyn Brooks 202-483-7382
Sayre, Pa. -- A just-posted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection report of Sayre, Pa.–based Triple F Farms, Inc. (Triple F), corroborates the findings of PETA's nearly four-month undercover investigation findings of the massive ferret-breeding factory farm. PETA found that ferrets were denied adequate food, water, and veterinary care and were subjected to major surgeries performed by improperly trained lay employees in unsanitary conditions. The USDA inspection took place on August 23 and 24 in response to PETA's submission of video footage and other evidence that revealed that Triple F owners, supervisors, and workers left newborn ferrets to fall through wire cage bottoms three feet to the concrete floor, where they were left for dead; deprived ferrets with bleeding rectal prolapses, gaping wounds, herniated organs, and other painful conditions of veterinary care or euthanasia; housed ferrets in filthy, crowded conditions; and more. The USDA has opened an investigation, and Bradford County District Attorney Dan Barrett's office is also investigating.
Triple F sells ferrets to pet shops and laboratories experimentation around the world. Since 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has had contracts for Triple F ferrets—contracts worth more than $1.5 million. PETA has called on the agency to investigate the company. The National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Navy have contracts with Triple F worth nearly $400,000.
"The USDA inspection shows that ferrets continue to suffer and die painfully at Triple F," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "We hope that the district attorney's investigation has immediately reduced these animals' suffering and that prosecution will follow."
The following are some of the violations noted in the USDA inspection report:
- More than 50 newborn ferrets had apparently fallen through the enclosures' 1-inch-by-1-inch mesh floors. One young ferret was trapped inside a feeder tube; other ferrets were found without any food or water.
- USDA officials had to notify Triple F personnel twice of a ferret experiencing pain from severe muscle contractions before an employee was told to monitor her.
- Triple F personnel failed to recognize that some ferrets were suffering from a thick white eye discharge.
- Officials could not determine what, if any, training lay workers who were attempting to sterilize and de-scent ferrets had received. These surgeries took place in "dirty" rooms littered with debris, on top of a "stained, dirty" table. The USDA has ruled that this is "not in accordance with … accepted veterinary medical procedures" and has informed Triple F that it cannot perform any more major operations until corrections are made.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.