McCaskill Statement on Department of Agriculture's Settlement with Nixa Family, Fined for Selling Rabbits

Press Release

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) settlement with John and Judy Dollarhite of Nixa, who faced a fine of more than $90,000 last May for selling rabbits without a license:

"I'm pleased this settlement will bring an end to a situation that defied common sense and plagued the Dollarhite family for months. It was an outrageous overstep by a government agency. As an elected official and a Missourian, I could not stand by and allow the government to go after a family selling a small number of rabbits as pets. I commend John and Judy for their dogged determination to fight for their rights."

In May, McCaskill contacted the family after reading about their situation in the Springfield News-Leader and being astounded by the USDA's proposed penalties. At the same time, the Dollarhite family had also reached out to McCaskill's office for help with the situation. Later that month, McCaskill sent a letter to USDA officials demanding they drop the fines and work with the Dollarhites to find a satisfactory outcome.

In the intervening months, McCaskill's staff has continued to work with the both the USDA and the Dollarhites to ensure an appropriate settlement that did not jeopardize the family's well-being was ultimately arrived at.

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