This is a very interesting article called Inspecting The Inspections - it's about the USDA's kennel inspections. Very disappointing. I found this passage of particular interest:
You've heard the expression "A
license to kill"? Being a USDA breeder
or broker is "A license to abuse". If you
or I tie a dog out back and starve it to
death, we have violated state and/or
local laws that protect animals from
abuse and neglect. If a USDA licensed
facility does the same thing, they have
violated the 'rules and regulations', not
the law.
Here is the article:
http://www.igsafehouse.org/livestock.../LSReport5.pdf