It’s a dated article, but do you think anything has changed? It’s just one more "rabbit caper" even worse than this one titled USDA Requires Magician to have an Evacuation Plan for His Rabbit.
"It started out as a hobby, a way for the Dollarhite family in Nixa, Mo., to teach a teenage son responsibility. Like a lemonade stand.
But now, selling a few hundred rabbits over two years has provoked the heavy hand of the federal government to the tune of a $90,643 fine. The fine was levied more than a year after authorities contacted family members, prompting them to immediately halt their part-time business and liquidate their equipment.
"The inspector watched the store for an hour from his car before the meeting, and his physical appearance put off the small business owners.
“He was covered head to toe in filth. Jeans is one thing, but these were slicked. He had ‘Grizzly Adams’-style hair,” Judy Dollarhite said.
The inspector, whose name Judy Dollarhite could not recall, intimidated the couple, claiming to have interviewed their neighbors about their political beliefs.
Scared they would face a small fine for a part-time business that had only resulted in about $4,000-$5,000 in sales and $200-$400 of profit, the Dollarhites agreed during the meeting to immediately suspend their business, which the inspector said would help their case."
The "Settlement" came to $90,643, due on May 23, 2011. It was hardly a "small fine." Not only that, but the USDA stated that, "If we do not receive your signed stipulation agreement and payment or notice that you wish to exertice your right to a hearing by May 23, 2011, this matter will be forwarded to the Department’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) for litigation. Please know that the penalty offered in this Stipulation represents a fraction of the civil penalty APHIS may seek should we refer this matter to OGC."
Friends of Liberty, this is TYRANNY OF UNELECTED BUREAUCRATS! They have been given money and power by our so-called "elected representatives."
The Solution? Tell your "duly elected representatives in Congress" to DEFUND them!
Remember this? "He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance." Declaration of Independence.