Call for Information from You about USDA Wildlife Services (USDA WS)

Wildlife Services (WS), a branch of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a budget of more than $100 million and they use it – to kill millions of wild animals every year – at least 4 million animals in 2013, half of whom were native.  See graphics here.

Among the animal victims tortured and killed by USDA WS are tens of thousands of prairie dogs, coyotes, beavers, Canada geese; thousands of white-tailed deer; hundreds of black bears, great blue herons, bobcats, mountain lions, gray wolves, among many others.

How many articles exposing the cruel methods employed by this rouge agency, including aerial gunning, poisoning, gassing, shooting, and trapping wild animals, does it take to force this agency into using existing nonlethal methods for the management of wild animals?

How many leaked complaints about WS employees, including (but not limited to) trappers, like Jamie Olson, who encouraged his dogs to attack trapped, already-suffering coyotes, while on the clock, does it take to achieve substantive disciplinary actions against these rogue agents and achieve accountability for inhumane treatment of wild animals?

How many petitions by animal/wildlife protection organizations, and efforts by Representatives, like Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), does it take to prompt a congressional review and reform of this atrocious agency that DeFazio has described as, “one of the most opaque and obstinate departments I’ve dealt with.”

What We Need From You:

If you have had any negative experiences with USDA WS agents, please let us know. For example, a woman in NYC told us last year that WS agents, who were rounding up geese in one of the city’s parks to either gas or send to a slaughterhouse, were trying to intimidate her verbally and through posturing. Please contact anja@idausa.org if you know (and have proof) of any cruel acts against animals USDA WS may have committed in your community, or if you have had any negative interactions with any of WS agents. We will start tracking this information to increase pressure for a reform of this taxpayer-funded, animal killing, government agency. We will keep your personal information confidential.

Thanks for your help!