Missouri Puppy Mill Shut Down in Verona

Photo: KMOX CBS St.Louis

According to KMOX news in St Louis and the Humane Society of Missouri, another puppy mill has been shut down.  Animal care inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture removed 18 dogs from Charles Etenburn's commercial dog breeding facility, C E Kennel on Monday, April 16

Etenburn had repeatedly failed recent inspections by the MDA and was unable to meet the requirements of the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act for kennel space, flooring and unfettered access to the outside.

The dogs included Pekingese, Poodles, Havanese/Shih Tzu, Labradoodle and French Bulldogs. One of the dogs is blind.  Several of the dogs appeared to have eye problems and matted coats.  The HSMO also reported that some of the dogs had severe skin infections.  As soon as they are healthy, as many of the dogs as possible will be made available for adoption.

Debbie Hill, HSMO VP Operations with matted Labradoodle. Photo: KMOX CBS St.Louis

This is a commercial dog breeder who has had problems with state officials previously.  In March he entered into a settlement agreement with MDA and the Missouri Attorney General's Office and agreed to close his facility after not renewing is license in 2012.  On April 13, Etenburn agreed to surrender his animals.

Etenburn must now refrain from owning or operating any business subject to the Animal Care Facilities Act and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act for 10 years and pay a $500 fine.  He is also subject to an additional $2,850 fine if he violates those terms.

Since January 2009, similar action taken by the Missouri Department of Agriculture have resulted in more than 5,600 dogs being removed from substandard conditions and placed with licensed animal shelters and rescue organizations..

Conway Missouri Puppy Mill A-Lick-A-Hope Kennels Closed

Another Missouri puppy mill has been shut down.  Lori Gross, owner and operator of A-Lick-A-Hope Kennels in Conway, Missouri is now prohibited from operating any dog breeding facility in the state for ten years.

Located just a few miles from us, we're dog-goned glad to see it closed.  Conditions reported in our local newspaper were shocking.  We're equally bothered by the number of locals who seemingly knew all about it, yet turned a blind eye and did not report the abuse.  Until now.

Missouri Department of Agriculture inspections of her operation revealed numerous violations of state animal welfare laws including:

• Failure to provide clean, dry bedding
• Failure to provide wind and rain breaks to protect the dogs from the elements
• Failure to keep food receptacles clean and sanitized
• Failure to provide clean drinking water
• Failure to collect and remove animal waste
• Faiture to clean and sanitize the facility
• Failure to provide housing that protected the animals from injury
• Failure to provide adequate veterinary care to animals obviously in medical distress.

In addition to being prohibited from doing business in Missouri, Gross has also been assessed a $1,000 civil penalty, $100 for inspection fees, and assessed all costs associated with the court case that resulted in these penalties.

Since the passage of the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act and Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, there's been a real crackdown thanks to the dedication of Missouri Attorney General Chris Kostner and Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler.   A Canine Cruelty Prevention Unit was established, more inspectors were added and we've seen many dog breeding operations closed.  The Missouri Canine Cruelty Prevention Unit reports over 5,500 dogs have been rescued from substandard facilities since January 2009.

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Missouri Puppy Mills: New Definitions for Canine Cruelty Prevention Act

There's a bit of good news for dogs in Missouri.  According to the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the new regulations to fully implement the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act (CCPA) have been finalized.  They contain the following definition for examination:

"Examination means a complete physical evaluation from head to tail of a covered dog or cat by a licensed veterinarian to include auscultation, palpation, and a visual inspection in which the heart rate, respiratory rate, breeding soundness, and the results of palpation are assessed and recorded as indicated on the forms provided."

The long time practice of paying veterinarians to simply walk through the barns and kennel buildings, without ever actually taking the dogs out of their cages to exam them to verify that the dogs are healthy, is about to come to an end. The attending veterinarians will now be required to perform a thorough hands-on physical examination in commercial dog breeding facilities in Missouri.

Puppy Mills: Some Good News for Dogs

Well, the news is not so good that we're jumping for joy or anything, but when it comes to puppy mills, we cheer for any little bit of good news and our tails are wagging today.

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, not only has there been a dramatic increase in the number of commercial dog breeder inspections in the past two years, but 60 more dog breeders have closed their operations since June 2011.  Translation:  from January 2009 to the present, there has been a one-third reduction in the number of licensed commercial dog breeders in the state of Missouri. 

Now, that's definitely something to bark about!

Many folks, like Bob Baker, Executive Director for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, believe this decrease can be attributed to increasing public awareness brought about by the MO Prop B campaign, increased enforcement efforts by the MO Dept of Agriculture, as well as the passage of the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act.  Baker also reports:

"Not only have we seen increased efforts by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, but we are also witnessing a remarkable change in attitude from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  At a recent meeting with commercial dog breeders, USDA officials proclaimed that their days of educating breeders are over and that the USDA is now in "enforcement" mode. The message repeated over and over again, by several USDA officials, was to clean up your act and comply with the law or get out of the business.  One USDA inspector told the 200 plus breeders in attendance that if they truly want to rid themselves of the moniker of "puppy mill," they need to stop confining their dogs in tiny cages.  He stated that the new law here in Missouri will help accomplish that change.   

"Dr. Chester Gipson, who is responsible for the enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act, admitted at this meeting that public awareness of the puppy mill issue has been very successful in gaining their attention and moving them toward more vigorous enforcement. It is reassuring to learn that all of our efforts, while less than encouraging at times, are beginning to pay off. 

"Dr. Gipson further announced that USDA will, within a year, be issuing new rules that would require breeders who sell multiple puppies over the Internet to be federally licensed and regulated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for the first time ever. Currently, Internet sellers are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act which only covers breeders for the wholesale market such as those who breed dogs for pet stores. This is a significant development as many wholesale breeders have merely switched to selling over the Internet to avoid federal inspections and regulations. "

Now, that is good news.  Excuse us while we do some more barking.

Missouri Puppy Mills: New Canine Cruelty Prevention Web Site

The Missouri Attorney General Office website now includes a Canine Cruelty web page where Missourians can learn more about the laws regulating animal care facilities and can file a complaint against substandard facilities.

Attorney General Chris Koster said legislation enacted by the General Assembly in April gives his office expanded enforcement authority for commercial breeders who fail to abide by the tougher standards imposed by the newly enacted Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. He has since established a Canine Cruelty Prevention Unit with an attorney dedicated to enforcing the new laws.

The new web page can be accessed at www.ago.mo.gov/CanineCruelty/. The site includes a canine cruelty complaint form where consumers can lodge a complaint against unlicensed breeders or breeders against whom they have animal cruelty or consumer complaints. The Canine Cruelty Prevention Unit will investigate all complaints. 

Also included is an information chart that explains the revisions to Missouri’s animal welfare laws, as well as a copy of the newly enacted legislation. There is also a list of frequently asked questions and access to the Attorney General’s Hotline, where individuals can call with complaints. Koster said hotline operators have been trained on the Animal Care Facilities Act and the new Canine Cruelty Prevention Act.

“We have an obligation to protect the wellbeing of animals, and Missouri has recognized that obligation by passing laws outlining acceptable standards for pet breeders and commercial pet dealers,” Koster said. “For too long, Missouri has had a reputation as a safe harbor for ‘puppy mills.’ We intend to change that reputation so that Missouri sets the standard for animal care facilities.”

The Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, aka the Missouri Solution, was approved by the Missouri legislature and signed into law by Governor Jay Nixon on April 27, 2011. The Act, the result of an agreement between the Missouri Department of Agriculture, commercial dog breeding and farming interests and Missouri-based animal welfare organizations, strengthens standards for veterinary care and living conditions for dogs in commercial breeding facilities. The Act also gives the Attorney General’s Office the authority to file criminal charges for “canine cruelty,” the authority to seek civil penalties for offenders and to seek enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.