Missouri Prop B Compromise Already in Trouble

The ink is barely dry from the press release from the Governor's office about his proposed compromise on Missouri's Proposition B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, and already the proposed measure is in trouble.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's compromise would strengthen current commercial dog breeding laws, but take out portions of Prop B which was passed by a majority of Missouri voters in November.  According to his office, his compromise measure was supported by advocates on both sides of the issue.

Last night more than 60 lawmakers from the House and Senate, as well as members of the agriculture industry, sent a letter to the Governor telling him they want him to sign SB 113 which would essentially repeal Prop B.

Governor Nixon's compromise has not even been introduced yet and must travel through both houses of the Missouri legislature before the legislative session ends on May 13.  Otherwise Nixon must sign SB 113 or veto it.  

It's not looking good.  Among those signing the letter urging Nixon to gut Prop B is House Speaker Steve Tilley.  Tilly controls the flow of legislation in the Missouri House.

Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act - Prop B - Being Dismantled in Missouri

Photo courtesy of HSUS

Skunks are not the only thing sticking around here lately.

On Tuesday, the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee unanimously approved a bill  - HCS HB 131 - which would repeal all of the major provisions of MO Prop B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. 

You know what they said while they did it?  They said "We respect the will of the people."  Remember, MO Prop B was passed by a majority of Missouri voters in November.  How is it respectful to gut the law?

In their highly questionable wisdom, these legislators deleted the following humane care provisions from Prop B:

1. Veterinary exam for breeding dogs.  Currently a vet can visit and approve the animals' health withut examining a single dog.
2. Humane euthanasia by a veterinarian.  Currently breeders often shoot their old, infirm, and non-productive breeding stock.
3. Access to an exercise run
4. Ample space.  Current law permits lifetime confinement in a cage only six inches longer than the dog itself.
5. Protection from temperature extremes.
6. Continuous access to water.  Frozen water satisfies current requirements.
7. Prohibition of wire flooring and stacking of cages.
8. Rest between breeding cycles.

The Chair of the House Agriculture Committee had the nerve to say: "We just made it better."

Better for whom?  Certainly not the over 200,000 dogs living in Missouri puppy mills.  Certainly not for the uninformed individual purchasing a puppy that originated in one of them. 

If you live in Missouri, contact your legislator and tell them the truth about HCS HB 131.   Speak up about the necessity of protecting the welfare of dogs.  

Ending Puppy Mill Cruelty in Missouri - MO Prop B

Lately I've been doing a Scarlett O'Hara about MO Prop B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  I'm well aware that I should be talking about it, but I keep putting it off.  I promised myself I'd blog about the latest efforts to repeal this historic legislation. 

Afterall, Missouri State Senator Bill Stouffer already filed a bill to repeal it.  Many of our rural legislators seem to feel empowered by the rejection of Prop B in most of the rural areas of our state.  The puppy mill lobby continues to spread mis-information.  They claim Prop B is detrimental to the agriculture industry in Missouri.

Yeah.  Right.  There are currently over 200,000 breeding dogs here in Missouri.  Many live in such inhumane conditions that it is difficult to comprehend.  Many have never seen the light of day.  They've spent their whole lives in a wire cage with barely enough room to turn around.  MO Prop B is about preventing such cruelty to animals.

Truthfully, I don't even like thinking about MO Prop B... because then I'm forced to think about why there is such a need for the legislation.  That calls into question what kind of people could hold animals in such conditions.  And some of those people could easily be called my neighbors.  Afterall, there are over 50 puppy mills right here in my county.

It is simply so depressing, so heart-breaking, and so discouraging.  It's heck of a note when we find ourselves in need of legislating morality.  However, the puppy mill folks in Missouri have proven over and over again that is just what is needed.  And the majority of Missouri voters recognized that fact and did what they felt was needed.  MO Prop B passed.  Let's leave it alone and let it do what it's supposed to:  prevent animal cruelty.