Here we go again. I'd shoved my soapbox into a closet for the holidays and hoped it might stay there awhile. I figured I'd take some time off to play with our new puppy and enjoy the holidays with my family. With recent developments regarding Missouri Proposition B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act - I decided I might as well end the year talking about it. Again.
Last night in Boliver, Missouri, a forum was held to discuss "fixing" MO Prop B and or repealing it. According to Springfield's KY3 newsteam member, Mike Landis, the forum was attended by ranchers, farmers and other MO residents. MO State Senator Robert Mayer claims some things in Prop B need to be clarified. MO State Senator- elect Mike Parsons thinks it can be "fixed. "
Parsons outlined his ideas at the Bolivar forum and promised to work toward implementing those possible changes. “When you start limiting the private sector in what they can own and sell, I think that’s a problem,” Parson explained.
Just as they did prior to the election, opponents to Prop B are saying it will cripple the dog-breeding industry in Missouri. Prop B sets forth new regulations limiting the number of breeding dogs a facility can have (50), and mandates new minimum-space requirements for kennels holding the dogs. Many Missouri dog breeders claim the mandates, which are set to go into effect in November 2011, will force them to invest in expensive new facilities they can’t afford and they will have to go out of business. Some Missouri farmers and ranchers also say it could lead to a slippery slope situation where rules could eventually be imposed on the cattle, pork, and poultry industry.
I agree with other Prop B supporters: a vote is a vote. The Missouri people passed this ballot initiative and their will should prevail.
The Missouri legislative session begins January 5 and there's a battle brewing. Prop B goes into effect in Nov 2011, so there's plenty of time to tinker with it. It's hard enough to live in the Puppy Mill Capital of the World. Now I have to admit I live in a state where elected officials do not respect the will of the people and our state's constitution.
Will there be a happy new year for the thousands of dogs currently residing in Missouri puppy mills? We'll have to wait and see.
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