Letter to the editor: Goldie's Act will protect dogs

Congress must pass Goldie’s Act to help protect dogs and puppies suffering in puppy mills. Goldie’s Act (HR 1788) is a federal bill named in honor of a golden retriever who suffered without adequate fresh food, water or veterinary care in a puppy mill that was licensed and overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She lived and died in a dirty cage, never having experienced human kindness.

Though her death could have been prevented, the USDA — the agency required to enforce the federal law that protects animals in puppy mills — turned a blind eye, even after witnessing her suffering. There are over 2,000 USDA-licensed puppy mills that house about a quarter of a million dogs and puppies across the country. If the USDA is unable or unwilling to reform its broken policies, Congress must step in to ensure the humane treatment of dogs in puppy mills.

We must urge legislators, including Rep. Summer Lee and Sens. Robert Casey and John Fetterman, to co-sponsor and pass Goldie’s Act to ensure that no more dogs suffer the same terrible fate as Goldie.

Linda Linsenbigler

North Braddock