Sheryl Blancato v. Department of Agricultural Resources (SPR 20230829)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 10, 2023 SPR23/0829 Raquel Loayza Paralegal Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources 225 Turnpike Road, 3rd Floor Southborough, MA 01772 Dear Ms. Loayza: I have received the petition of Sheryl Blancato appealing the response of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 10, 2023, Ms. Blancato requested the following: [1] Parvo stats from 2022 and to date 2023 [2] Panleuk stats from 2022 and to date 2023 [3]Documents showing evidence of increased disease in pets housed in pet supply store shelter run adoption centers. On April 25, 2023, the Department responded with responsive records. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Ms. Blancato petitioned this Office and this appeal, SPR23/0829, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Blancato. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Blancato with said response, in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of the response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Blancato may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Raquel Loayza SPR23/0829 Page 2 May 10, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Sheryl Blancato