Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and Missouri Department of Agriculture Director John Hagler announced on June 29, 2009 that the second phase of “Prosecution Bark Alert” has been initiated in a joint effort between their offices. The goal: to stop unlicensed and substandard dog breeders from operating in Missouri. In a statement by Director Hagler he stated:
"We want unlicensed breeders to know that in the days and weeks ahead, they will begin to face in
creasing pressure as we add more bite to Bark Alert. One way or another, they are going to get the message that substandard, unlicensed facilities are not welcome in Missouri."
Over the years Missouri has become known as the puppy mill capital of the United States due to the number of highly publicized puppy mill problems within the state. Since the Prosecution Bark Alert initiative began in February, 2009 over 200 unlicensed facilities have been located and over 1900 dogs rescued from a life of fear and pain.
Missouri is estimated to have over 4000 substandard high volume puppy breeders within its borders. Instead of being allowed to sell their animals to other unscrupulous breeders when raided, these puppy mills now have to turn their animals over to the Humane Society of Missouri or another reputable rescue groups. Mills that persist face a fine of $1000 per dog and prosecution for animal cruelty.
We want to send a message to clean up the industry and put an end to animal cruelty," Koster said. "People have cared about this a long time. Government hasn't cared about it until now."
As many of my readers know, I have been ridiculed by so called legitimate breeders; I am being accused 
of trying to put them out of business. Nothing could be further from the truth. My reply has always been, and always will be- if you are truly a caring and legitimate dog breeder you should be more outraged at these unlicensed, substandard facilities than anyone else. These types of unli
censed, uncaring breeders are the ones that are giving all breeders bad press, not the media and not the Humane Society. All AKC and other licensed breeders should stand up, get involved and show that legitimate breeders do in fact support any initiative that will stop this insanity once and for all. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. And how can you, a breeder, say that these people "just got in over their heads", and that the facts are distorted? I think these pictures say everything.
I find it admirable that Missouri is standing up and saying that they have a problem and want to address it. Anonymous tips can be reported on an on-line form through the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
http://mda.mo.gov/animals/ACFA/barkalert/
The public needs to be educated to realize that those cute puppies in pet stores most likely came from a high volume puppy mill. For every healthy looking dog you see at the store, there are dozens of others being used as breeding stock under the most deplorable and inhumane conditions you can imagine. Only the strong survive, and then only for a short time. Long enough for their owners to make a profit.
Thanks for reading! keepsake16@yahoo.com
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/49438582.html
http://www.ky3.com/home/video/49460522.html
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1551223.html
Comments
Mary you are a liar!
First of all the state did not announce this yesterday. This is an old story at least two months old. Plagiarism is your speciality.
Messing up facts and embellishment of the truth is a glaring problem with you..
The number of unlicensed kennels was only 12, not 200.
There is not 4000 kennels in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas combined, where did you come up with this number ??
Your use of the term "Puppy Mill" shows that you are lacking in the social graces of of even a moderate bigot. The term is offensive and should not be used.
You mentioned education: Good idea.. you need all you can get.
Whoa, Moses. Let me guess, you're a miller? Or maybe you own a pet store that buys from millers? Only someone who exploits animals for financial gain would post such a scathing and untrue comment. There are most certainly more than 12 unlicensed kennels in the state of MO.
What term do you propose we use for large scale breeders that don't take care of their dogs? Puppy mill, puppy mill, PUPPY MILL!
What is disrespectful, Moses, is the way these poor animals are treated by people like you.
Mary, thank you for highlighting Missouri's crack down on puppy mills. You are correct in your numbers; there are nearly 1,400 USDA licensed facilities and more than 3,000 state licensed facilities in Missouri alone (not all are kennels, but there are purportedly just as many unlicensed operations). Puppy mills are nothing more than factory farms for dogs, and the puppies are nothing but a cash crop. This is no way to treat man's best friend. I congratulate Missouri for the steps that are being taken to eliminate unlicensed breeders and substandard breeding facilities.
Thanks to those of you that actually read the article, checked the sourcess (AG's office and MDA) and "get it". The new initiative started months ago, the second phase started June 29th-just as stated. And I stand by the term puppy mill-I call them what they are.
I am glad that Missouri and other states want to clean up the WORST puppy mills. But even the "best" (i.e. cleanest) puppy mill is inhumane. Dogs still live in cages, still are bred constantly and dumped or killed when they can't produce, and are genetic and health disasters. Cleanliness is a start - but mass production of dogs will always be inhumane.
HTB
The truth is fine, it always works. This lady never reports honestly and needs to be straightend out. The number of illegal kennels reported was 12, check with the state for the time period she refered. There may have been a couple of hundred calls but actual unlicesend illeagal facilities was 12!
Don't call me a Miller!, shows you are just as stupid as she.
I don't think "YOU" need to do anything about anyone's business, you inferred authority by using "We". You must be some communist jerk who came to America after loosing your job as governmednt thug in Russia. To even think you can go on private property no matter the reason and interfer with a legal business is fighting words to me. I am an American and I have rights to my property as we all do, if I was a brfeeder I would put hot lead up your bottom if you came around my place.
I have no compassion for people who operate illegally and are harmful to the animals like the Humane Society, as they kill dogs.
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