Missouri Puppy Mills / Prop B: Governor Proposes Compromise

I'm sick of politicians.  I've had it with them for more reasons that just MO Senate Bill 113 and Prop B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, but this issue feels like the straw that broke the camel's back.

First Missouri citizens organize a petition drive to place MO Prop B on the election ballot.  They succeed.  Then Missouri voters pass that same legislation.

That's where the politicians take over because they are quite sure they are smarter than Missouri voters, who, they claim, didn't understand what they were voting on.  Various Missouri House of Representative and Senate bills are introduced to repeal or otherwise gut Prop B.  Senate Bill 113 gains traction, is passed and sent to the Governor for his signature.  

SB 113 guts Prop B.  So what... they're just dogs.  So what... it's just overturning the will of the people.  Right?

Now Governor Nixon claims to have brokered a compromise between all parties involved that includes part of Prop B and parts of SB 113.   This proposed legislation will require larger cages with outdoor runs for breeding dogs, access to potable water and annual vet exams.  However it no longer limits dog breeders to no more than 50 breeding dogs and gives dog breeders additional time to meet the new housing standards.

This new "compromise" legislation will have to move fast.  It's not even been introduced yet, but will have to be approved by May 13.  That's when the Missouri legislative session ends.  And, of course, if it does not move along quickly enough, that is also when we'll see what stuff Governor Nixon is made of.  He'll have to either sign or veto SB 113.

At the same time, proponents of Prop B are threatening to begin again with another ballot initiative campaign - to put Prop B back on the ballot for another vote.

I'm a believer in compromise.  This compromise legislation certainly would be an improvement over current Missouri laws and SB 113 in terms of the lives of thousands of commercial breeding dogs being held in this state.  However, it is an outright sucker punch to the voters of Missouri.

Democracy?  The state constitution?  The will of the people?  Who needs 'em?!  Not the politicians of the great puppy mill capitol, otherwise known as Missouri.

Puppy Mills in Missouri: SB 113 Passed; Prop B is Repealed

It's official.  The Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 113.  The repeal of Prop B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, now goes to the desk of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

SB 113 dismantles Prop B piece by piece, not only lowering the boom on dogs suffering in substandard breeding facilities, but also delivering a knock out punch to democracy in Missouri.  If Governor Nixon signs this legislation, Prop B supporters have vowed to immediately begin gathering signatures for another referendum which would bring the issue back on a ballot for Missouri voters.

I have mixed emotions.  None of them are good.  

Obviously, Missouri lawmakers are proud of Missouri's reputation as the Puppy Mill Capital and loathe to let that go.  It's also obvious - from their claims that Missouri voters didn't understand Prop B - that they think Missouri voters are dumb as dirt. 

Last November the voters of Missouri said it was time to begin an end to puppy mills in our state.  They understood then that the dog breeding industry in our state has a myriad of problems and the state legislature has ignored the problems for years.  

Unless Governor Nixon vetoes SB 113, dog breeders in Missouri can continue business as usual.  In Missouri it will be just fine that breeders stack dogs in wire cages, let them suffer extreme heat and cold, deprive them of clean water.  Breeders can have as many breeding dogs as they choose. 

 

If you live in Missouri, please contact Governor Nixon at 673-751-3222 or via email  and urge him to veto SB 113.  Let him know that the democratic process and the well-being of commercial breeding dogs is important.

Missouri Puppy Mills: Dogs Confined to Rabbit Hutches with Prop B Repeal

The fat lady is not singing yet.  However, I believe I hear her over there in Jefferson City, warming up for her swan song.  Or could that sound I hear be the quiet whimpering of over 200,000 dogs confined in Missouri puppy mills?

SB 113, the measure passed by the Missouri Senate, will soon be heard by the Missouri House of Representatives and is expected to pass.  If it does pass, dogs will continue to be legally confined to a rabbit hutch, straddling wire flooring, unable to go outside to breathe fresh air or walk on a solid surface, while others are confined outdoors with little or no protection from extreme weather conditions.

SB 113 will continue to allow dogs to be confined in cages only 6 inches longer than the dog itself.  These dogs spend their entire lives in these small cages.

The proponents of SB 113 allege that the bill "keeps the heart of the proposition Missouri voters adopted."  Yet when asked what components of Prop B remain intact if SB 113 becomes law, Missouri Senator Parson was unable to answer the question.

In fact, SB 113 removes the following provisions from Prop B:

• Requirement for a physical veterinary exam
• Prohibition of wire flooring
• Requirement to increase cage size
• Requirment for access to an outdoor exercise run
• Continuous access to clean water
• Enforceable temperature requirements
• Limit on breeding more than 50 dogs at one time
• Rest from incessant breeding practices

If you live in Missouri, call your state representative now.  They're on "spring break" for the next 11 days, which means they'll be in their home district.  A great time to make sure they know the facts about SB 113 and to remind them that the voters in their district care about dogs.

And if you don't live in Missouri?  Prayers are not discouraged.

Puppy Mill Law - Missouri Senate Agriculture Committee Guts Prop B

The Missouri Senate agriculture committee endorsed legislation yesterday that will gut Prop B the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  Changes include: 

• There would be no limit on number of dogs per commercial dog breeder.
• Licensed dog breeders would have up to 180 days to correct serious violations before they face criminal charge.

This measure, SWB113, now will go to the full Missouri Senate.

If you listen closely that sound you hear is the last, dying gasp of democracy in Missouri.

The people of Missouri got tired of being the Puppy Capital of the world.  They got up a petition drive to put a measure on the ballot that would provide humane conditions for the over 200,000 dogs in commercial dog breeding operations in Missouri.  The majority of Missouri voters approved that measure. 

Now lawmakers insist they know better than the will of the people.

Its no secret that I'm a proponent of Prop B.  Conditions in Missouri's dog breeding operations sicken me and break my heart.  However, there's an even great danger here now.  The threat to our democracy.   

Missouri Puppy Mill Laws and Prop B Repeal



Lucy doesn't think much of
the Missouri Farm Bureau and
MO Lawmakers who want to repeal
the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

 Here's what is currently legal for commercial puppy breeders in Missouri:

• It is legal to keep a breeding dog in a wire cage six inches longer than her body.
• It is legal keep that breeding dog confined in that cage for her entire life .
• It is legal to allow that breeding dog to be outside during the extremes of winter.
• It is legal to allow animals in cages stacked above to defecate on the animals below .
• It is legal to never call on a veterinarian to examine an animal. 
• It is legal to abandon or kill dogs once they are no longer wanted.  

The Missouri Farm Bureau and the Alliance for Truth thinks such standards for dogs are just fine.

The majority of Missouri voters disagree and approved Proposition B on November 2.  The measure, which calls for dog breeders to provide more humane conditions for dogs, passed on Tuesday by 61,000 votes, or a 51.6 percent margin.  Now some Republican lawmakers are trying to undo the will of the people.

Obviously, some Missouri lawmakers care neither about dogs nor democracy.

Controversy Continues with MO Prop B Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

Photo courtesy HSUS

It ain't over until it's over.  Right.  And it is not over.
Let me tell you what a joy it is to live in the great state of Missouri, where state lawmakers don't realize that this is a democracy.

According to several news sources Missouri legislators don't care what the people think.  Missouri lawmakers, in both the House and Senate, say they will support efforts by dog breeders and agricultural groups to repeal or dilute Proposition B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, passed by voters November 2.



"We will start working on that issue immediately," said Senator-elect Mike Parson, whose district includes more than 150 licensed breeding operations. The next legislative session begins Jan. 5. 

Proposition B, which will put new restrictions on state dog breeders, passed by substantial margins in urban areas, but failed in 100 of the state's 114 counties. Overall, it got 51.6% of the vote.  The puppy mill lobby, largely represented by rural Missouri interests,  is screaming about the narrow margin of passage.

According to Representative Tom Loehner, chairman of the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee:  "We're in discussions with a few people and trying to get together with ag groups, representatives and senators and also our legal people on exactly what we can do and what our options are."

These are the same people who talk quite a bit about "the will of the people."  Seems they see no disrespect for the people and democratic process in rejecting a majority of Missouri voters who voted in fabor of legislation requiring dog breeders to provide animals with adequate space, food, water, exercise and medical care.

The way they see it: The measure failed in more than 100 of the state’s 114 counties, so the vote shouldn’t count.

Huh?  Since when did issues become decided by a county by county vote?  Last time I checked, Missouri was a constitutional democracy and statewide initiative referendums were decided by a majority of state voters.  As this one was.

We voted.  The majority rules.  Or at least it is supposed to.