A bill designed to make changes to Missouri's Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, commonly known as Proposition B, now advances to the Missouri House of Representatives after state senators passed the bill Thursday.
SB113 passed with a 20-14 vote. Besides changes to Prop B, it modifies the Animal Care Facilities Act by requiring breeders to pay a yearly license fee of up to $2,500, rather than the current $500 maximum (depending on how many dogs are sold). Breeders must also pay an annual $25 fee for the administration of Operation Bark Alert, the state's program developed to crack down on unlicensed breeders. Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) said the funding would potentially go to hiring five additional inspectors to the state agriculture department's current inspector staff of 12.
But the changes associated with the welfare of dogs in these facilities are what's angering Prop B supporters. These include:
- requiring at least two visual inspections per year by a licensed veterinarian, with physical inspections only necessary if the vet notices signs of disease or injury (instead of an annual physical exam of each dog),
- redefining the "regular exercise" requirement,
- removing the language prohibiting stacked cages, as well as the temperature minimum (45 degrees) and maximum (85 degrees) for housing.
The new legislation would have breeders follow a vet-approved exercise plan for their dogs (in compliance with state regulations) that affords "maximum opportunity for outdoor exercise as weather permits." However, it eliminates Prop B's requirement that outdoor areas have adequate drainage, protection from the elements and space that's at least twice the square footage of the indoor floor space breeders provide to each dog. Prop B also requires "constant and unfettered access" to these outdoor exercise areas.
In addition, SB113 removes the limit of breedable dogs that a breeder can own at one time. Prop B had that limit set at 50. And it changes the name of Prop B to the "Canine Cruelty Prevention Act," removing "puppy mill" from the title.
Missouri voters passed Prop B four months ago by a narrow margin with 52 percent of the vote. The bulk of the "yes" votes were concentrated in the populous Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas; "yes" votes were also prevalent in the Bootheel. "No" votes dominated the rest of the state—in more than 100 counties. The measure is supposed to go into effect this November.
Find out more about SB113 here.
Follow me on Twitter and on my Facebook page.
Comments