The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act in Missouri

CC-by-SA-2.0 ~ Raven Underwood "Puppies like these are targets for puppy mill operations"

There is a new law that may take place in Missouri called the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. This Act is being brought about by four organizations; The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), The Missouri Humane Society and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. They have come together and created a new Act to try and help with the growing problem of puppy mills. This Act is only in the beginning stages and needs the help of the people of Missouri.

Missouri is known for having more puppy mills than any other state. This Act is not to endanger any livestock facilities, the raising of hunting dogs, animal shelters or rescues. This Act is specifically for dogs and the irresponsible breeders that have made it a requirement to have this Act established. The Act is just making sure the basic necessities are provided to the dogs and would also limit the number of breeding females at the facility. This Act would not include any facility with ten or less breeding females. This is just to ensure the safety of the dogs and make sure the facility did not get out of hand with their numbers.

The highlights to the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act are as follows:

• They should be provided with adequate food once a day and fresh, clean water constantly.
• Be provided with necessary veterinarian care once a year and if the dog is in need of any medical attention it is to be done by a licensed veterinarian.
• Have sufficient housing and protection from the natural elements. They are to have a solid floor indoor enclosure and are not to be in a cage with a wire bottom and stacked on top of one another.
• Be provided with sufficient space within their living quarters. They should be able to stand up, stretch, turn around and lie down with their limb extended.
• They are to receive regular exercise. Each dog is to have access to an outdoor enclosure that is two times the square footage of the indoor enclosure.
• They are to have adequate rest between breeding cycles. The dogs cannot be bred more than twice during an 18 month period.

CC-by-SA-2.0 ~ Werwin15  "Puppies like these are targets for puppy mill operations"

If a person is found guilty of these charges it will be a Class C Misdemeanor unless the defendant has been found guilty previously for the same crime then the new charges will be a Class A Misdemeanor. This Act has been introduced but needs the support of the people of Missouri. It needs over 100,000 signatures from residents of Missouri showing the need to add it to the November 2010 ballot. This would allow the citizens to vote on this Act to help with the commercial breeders that have made puppy mills a horrible place for dogs.
 

Click the paw print for the “Pet Pages” blog, a place for the authors’ personal notes.

Get it FIRST by SUBSCRIBING to this page. We do not share your email address with anyone. Please subscribe above at the "Subscribe" button. Please feel free to contact me if you have a question or comment at dstapleton2003@comcast.net . Thank you.