Missouri Passes New Puppy Mill Law

take4roll10

take4roll10

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Missouri is known as the "puppy mill capital of the country" and provides 40% of puppies to pet stores state wide.

These are the new restrictions that will go into effect next year:
-commercial breeders to no more than 50 female dogs for breeding
-increasing the size of dogs' living spaces
-requiring commercial breeders to have their dogs examined yearly by a veterinarian.
-requires the animals to be fed daily and not be bred more than twice every 18 months
-must house animals indoors with unfettered access to an outdoor exercise yard.

Here are two articles:
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...uppy-mill-measure-prop-b-passes-in-missouri/1
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/11/prop_b_historic_victory_110310.html

I think all puppy mills should be outlawed, but this is a step in the right direction. However, if a "breeder" violates these laws, they will be subjected to a $300 fine or up to 15 days in jail. I don't think the penalties are severe enough for puppy mill breeders to take this law seriously.

Thoughts?
 
I agree that it's a step in the right direction...but I wonder how easily they will be enforced. I'm sure that there are plenty of puppy mills all around the country that violate laws in their particular state or county...but no one is checking up on them and they are allowed to continue their practices.
 
I can't believe that a max of 50 dogs is something anyone would deem as a sensible number. The fine is silly. They have a more expensive leash fine in my state!
 
Wow, this is progress, but obviously enforcement is key. I wonder if in these economic hard times the funding for the enforcement will be there?

Mutts the comic this last week was about puppy mills and it just tore at my heart. His simple drawings and heartfelt emotions just get you, in a good way. I'm so glad he chooses to bring attention to these issues.

Sharon
 
The fine is probably equal to what they get for one puppy.

Good they are passing a law....but in my opinion the law is ridiculous.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
Oops, I'm in violation, since my dogs have to have a human open the doors for them.
Click to expand...

The law only applies to people with ten or more intact females over six months old.

Of course - the law applies to people with "custody or ownership" of ten or more intact females (emphasis mine) - tricky indeed, when people have co-ownership agreements on dogs that live elsewhere. Obviously, this was not something that was considered when the bill was written.

Another issue with the bill: Dogs must be provided housing in which the temperature "does not fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit." 45 degrees feels very different to a Sheltie than it does to, say, a Chihuahua. I would venture to guess that 60 degrees is plenty uncomfortable, when you weigh six pounds and are practically naked - but to a healthy, properly-conditioned Sheltie in a bank of crates with a blanket on top, 30 degrees is fine sleeping weather. Not all breeds tolerate heat equally.

And, of course, the issue of enforcement, which is woefully (willfully?) ignored. Without adequate enforcement, no legislation (current, future, adequate or inadequate) does much good - and current enforcement is effectively nil.
 
This kind of reminds me of a law they passed in Texarkana not long ago. Not the same thing at all, but it made me think of it.

They recently passed a law in Texarkana (for those who don't know Texarkana is a town that is split down the middle - half in Arkansas and the other half in Texas. You can go to a store on one side of the road and be in Texas, go down a few blocks and be back in Arkansas) where dogs are no longer allowed to be on a chain UNLESS:

- The dog has 24/7 access to shelter from rain, heat, and cold
- the dog has fresh clean water at all times
- the dogs are being fed and cared for properly (although I am sure the phrase "cared for properly" can vary from one person's opinion to another)
- the owner is present at all times to watch the dog while it is chained in the yard

I don't remember what the fees were (I don't live in Texarkana and I don't chain my dogs so not my problem), but the same question goes for the puppymill law:

Do you actually think somebody is going to go around enforcing these laws? Esepcially in smaller towns where they are lucky to even have a police station?

Maybe if the police raided somebody's house for something else and then seen the dogs it might happen, but I don't see a "puppy patrol" scouting the towns looking for these types of things. They're more concerned with giving out speeding tickets.
 
$300 fine.:mad: That makes the whole thing a joke! We are talking about businesses - that's just a tax write off or an extra litter. I know from years of working in law enforcement that laws mean nothing unless they carry penalties and are seen to be enforced.
 
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