An animal breeder will pay $35 million after admitting a string of welfare offenses and violating the Clean Water Act.
Envigo RMS LLC pleaded guilty to conspiring to knowingly violate the Animal Welfare Act, and Envigo Global Services Inc. pleaded guilty to a felony of conspiring to knowingly violate the Clean Water Act.
Both pleas relate to a dog breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, from which the Justice Department secured the surrender of over 4,000 beagles in 2022.
Inotiv – of which Envigo RMS and Envigo Global Services are subsidiaries – will guarantee more than $35 million in payments, be subject to increased animal care standards and be subject to a compliance monitor.
This is the largest ever fine in an Animal Welfare Act case.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said: “Our nation’s animal welfare and clean water laws exist to prevent suffering and harm.
“That’s why we secured the transfer of thousands of beagles from Envigo’s Cumberland facility into adoption, and that’s why today’s plea agreement is so significant.
“The plea agreement includes the largest ever fine in an animal welfare case as well as heightened standards of care for facilities across the country.”
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia added: “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.”
“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.”
Court documents reveal Envigo RMS conspired to knowingly violate the Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care, adequate staffing and safe living conditions for dogs housed at the Cumberland County facility.
Envigo Global Services also conspired to knowingly violate the Clean Water Act by failing to properly operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant at the Cumberland County facility.
This led to massive unlawful discharges of insufficiently treated wastewater into a local waterway and also impacted the health and well-being of the dogs at the facility.
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$22 million fine
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the companies will serve from three to five years of probation and pay a total criminal fine of $22 million.
That is $11 million for each violation.
They will also pay approximately $1.1 million to the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force and approximately $1.9 million to the Humane Society of the United States for direct assistance provided to the investigation.
Another $3.5 million will be paid to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to benefit and restore the environment and ecosystems in Cumberland County.
At least $500,000 of that will be spent on purchasing riparian wetland or riparian land located in or near Cumberland.
The firms will also at least $7 million to improve their facilities and personnel beyond the standards imposed by the Animal Welfare Act.
Finally, the entities will pay all costs associated with a compliance monitor.
This will see their compliance with these enhanced animal welfare standards, the Animal Welfare Act, the Clean Water Act, a nationwide compliance plan and additional terms of the agreements and probation.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
