Two North Chesterfield, Virginia, animal breeders, Elena Mikirticheva and Andrey Mikirtichev, recently surrendered about 200 dogs and cats following court-ordered federal injunctive relief, officials announced Tuesday.
The Justice Department, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), alleged pervasive mistreatment of the animals in their possession.
U.S. District Judge David J. Novak of Virginia ordered the relief to replace a temporary restraining order after considering a joint agreement by the federal government and the defendants.
Around 45 dogs and cats were surrendered to USDA, which placed the animals in Virginia shelters and rescue organizations for adoption.
The agencies then worked with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, which seized the remaining animals—more than 150—and placed them with the Humane Society of the United States.
Subsequently, the Justice Department filed a consent decree in the U.S. District Court in Virginia to permanently ban Mikirticheva and Mikirtichev from Animal Welfare Act (AWA) licensure or registration.
The USDA filed a corresponding consent decision and order in its administrative enforcement proceeding that includes more than $300,000 in civil penalties and permanent AWA license revocation. Both filings were approved.
In August, the Justice Department filed a complaint and motion for temporary restraining order alleging that Mikirticheva and Mikirtichev, licensed under the AWA, had received over 50 AWA citations for failing to provide adequate shelter, medical and other care.
It also had access to USDA APHIS inspectors, thereby placing the health of their animals in serious danger.
The filings allege that, over the course of two years, APHIS inspectors repeatedly found animals in need of veterinary care.
The defendants would delay seeking veterinary care, and, even when animals were seen by a veterinarian, the defendants would fail to follow the veterinarian’s advice.
The filings further alleged that APHIS inspectors found animals in cages smaller than AWA requirements. Other animals were seemingly dehydrated or malnourished due to dominant or aggressive behavior displayed by animals with whom they should not have been housed.
APHIS inspectors also allegedly observed junk, waste, and/or hazardous materials in areas accessible to the animals.
The federal case is United States v. Elena Mikirticheva and Andrey Mikirtichev, No. 3:23-cv-552.