Report violations of laws and regulations relating to USDA programs, particularly if you witness or have knowledge of any of the following:
The complainant may remain confidential (i.e., known only to the USDA OIG), allow their name to be used (i.e., included in any investigation that may take place), or anonymous (i.e., unknown even to the USDA OIG). If the complainant chooses to remain anonymous, USDA OIG cannot obtain additional information on the allegation (e.g., testimonial or documentary evidence; identity of witnesses), and also cannot inform the complainant as to what action USDA OIG has taken on the complaint. Confidential status allows further communication between USDA OIG and the complainant after the original complaint is received.
The identity of complainants is protected under the provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (pdf).
To process your allegation(s), we will need you to provide as much information as possible regarding your complaint. Your information should include:
Without sufficient information we may be unable to act on your allegation. Therefore, in order to investigate your concerns properly, please provide as much information as possible. We are very interested in the information you have to provide regarding the misconduct, fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement in our USDA programs.
Animal WelfareThe enforcement of animal welfare laws is very important to USDA OIG, and we work closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate allegations consistent with or related to the following federal statutes:
USDA OIG’s principal litigation partner when violations of animal welfare laws are uncovered is the Department of Justice (DOJ), Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), who, together with U.S. Attorneys' Offices, works to ensure full effect is given to the federal statutes and enforcement regimes that provide for the humane treatment of captive, farmed, and companion animals across the United States.
Where appropriate, ENRD's Environmental Crimes Section (ECS) brings criminal prosecutions under these laws against, for example, people who are involved in the illegal blood sports of dog and cock fighting. In these cases, ECS works with investigators from USDA OIG, various Department of Justice law enforcement agencies (Federal Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and other investigative partners.
ENRD also developed a civil program aimed at filing civil forfeiture actions to acquire title to animals involved in fighting operations. ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section litigators stand ready to file civil forfeiture actions which can often result in animals being permanently removed from their alleged abusers far more quickly than through the criminal forfeiture process. From 2015-2023, USDA OIG’s efforts, in cooperation with DOJ, have led to the rescue of more than 2,400 dogs from suspected dog fighting operations around the country.
Additionally, over the course of hundreds of animal welfare investigations, USDA OIG has learned that certain forms of animal cruelty, such as dog and cockfighting, can be part of a highly organized interstate criminal industry that not only harms animals, but also threatens public safety. Other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms, illegal gambling, stolen vehicles and property offenses, and child endangerment, are frequently associated with dog and cockfighting ventures.
For more information, please visit the Department of Justice website - About the Animal Welfare Litigation Program.
To learn more about dogs rescued from animal fighting, please visit the U.S. Marshals Service website - Help A Rescue Dog.