NW Kentucky News

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer has issued a subpoena to Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The move aims to further investigate what is described as arbitrary enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) by the USDA.

Chairman Comer stated that information obtained by the Oversight Committee, along with recent actions at Tennessee Walking Horse shows, suggests that APHIS may be exceeding its authority in inspections related to horse shows. "The Committee initially requested documents and information from USDA regarding these matters on August 9, 2024," wrote Chairman Comer.

Among the materials sought were lists of horse shows attended by APHIS inspectors, communications between APHIS officials and stakeholders in the horse show industry, documents relating to HPA enforcement, and those related to a lawsuit filed by horse trainers against USDA. The USDA failed to respond by the deadline or acknowledge receipt until several weeks later.

Allegations have been made that Dr. Rhyner sent an email detailing new competition inspection requirements just two hours before a competition without prior notification. On August 9, 2024, Chairman Comer launched an investigation and called for a review by the USDA Office of Inspector General into HPA enforcement. Despite requests for Dr. Rhyner's availability for a transcribed interview on October 8, 2024, USDA has not complied.

"This lack of cooperation by USDA raises additional questions about transparency and accountability," continued Chairman Comer. He emphasized that over four weeks had passed since the initial request for an interview without compliance from USDA. As a result, a subpoena has been issued requiring Dr. Rhyner's appearance before the Committee on December 9, 2024.

The letter and subpoena addressed to Dr. Aaron Rhyner are available for public viewing.