Missouri puppy mill initiative draws applause, concerns

Chihuahuas at a puppy mill (PETA)

The ballot initiative intending to eliminate inhumane practices in Missouri's "puppy mills" is sparking debate.

Known as the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act," it would require these large-scale breeding operations (defined in the measure as having more than 10 breedable females) to provide basic, humane care to their breeding stock. This care would include clean water, sufficient food, veterinary treatment, regular exercise, rest between breeding cycles and proper housing with enough space to stretch and move around.

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs is working to collect at least 130,000 petition signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. The group held a campaign kickoff in Kansas City on Jan. 14 to sign up volunteer petitioners. Similar meetings have been happening across the state.

Among the group's members are the Humane Society of Missouri, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States. Local animal shelters are getting involved in the effort as well; Wayside Waifs, for example, is encouraging folks to come to the shelter (3901 Martha Truman Rd., KCMO) to sign the petition.

But the measure has its opponents. The American Kennel Club says the exact terminology "would add excessive expenses to responsible breeders who strive to produce well-bred family pets at a reasonable cost."

AKC is also concerned about how the measure would limit the number of breedable dogs that a breeding operation can own. The measure sets that limit at 50.

AKC is working with the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners to put a stop to the measure. MoFed, which opposes animal rights legislation affecting animal owners, filed suit in early January against Missouri's secretary of state and state auditor on behalf of Missouri breeders.

Local animal welfare advocate Brent Toellner expressed his own concerns about the measure on his "KC Dog Blog" Jan. 16. Toellner said that instead of putting time and money into getting this measure passed, we should invest in increasing the number of state inspectors who could enforce laws already in place to shut down unlicensed breeders.

"All I can think about is what this type of money, and this type of human support, could do if it were all channeled toward shutting down the commercial breeding operations that are operating illegally without a license—instead of working on a bill that will have minimal, if any, impact," Toellner wrote.

The conversation regarding this initiative will continue to grow as Missourians for the Protection of Dogs scrambles to get all petition signatures collected by an April 27 deadline. Read the initiative below, learn about Missourians for the Protection of Dogs and then click and scroll through what organizations and advocates have to say about the measure—pro and con. Feel free to leave your own comments as well.

Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act ballot initiative

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs

Viewpoints

American Kennel Club (opposes)

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (supports)

Humane Society of Missouri (supports)

Humane Society of the United States (supports)

KC Dog Blog (unofficial animal-welfare watchdog; wants to see resources to get this passed used to enforcing current laws with more state inspectors)

Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (supports)

Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (opposes)

Wayside Waifs (KCMO animal shelter; supports)
 

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