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Animal Welfare Groups Sue USDA Over Website Purge

05:59

March 06, 2017

A rescued dog peers from within a kennel where hundreds of rescued animals are being kept for treatment about an hour southwest of Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. (Gerry Broome/AP)

In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture abruptly removed a trove of data about possible animal welfare violations from its website. The USDA said in a statement that it removed the inspection reports and other information to protect personal privacy.

The department posted an updated statement on Feb. 17, saying it has started posting information back on the site and "will continue to review records and determine which information is appropriate for posting." But animal rights groups have sued to restore the online database.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson talks with Adam Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA (@BornFreeUSA), which is among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

This segment aired on March 6, 2017.