Missouri Legislature Poised To Repeal Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Referendum For years, Missouri earned the dubious distinction as the nation’s “puppy mill capital” because its lax humane regulations and enforcement allowed dog breeders to raise puppies at low costs in terrible, overcrowded conditions. Last fall, Missouri voters approved a referendum to finally solve this problem — the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act — which mandates regular veterinarian inspections of breeding facilities and ensures a basic level of treatment for dogs, such keeping temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees. Tea party groups stridently opposed the referendum, arguing it was “just another example of big government meddling in people’s lives.” Now, capitalizing on the big gains they made in November, Republicans in the state legislature are poised to repeal the regulations Missouri’s voters enacted
As a member of a tea party group, I have long been an opponent of puppy mills, starting with a detailed puppy mill story I wrote back in the 1970s exposing the harsh realities of this "business," which at that time was the main source of pet store animal (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, etc.) sales. Personally, I own a purebred Springer with carefully researched ancestry. Many of my tea party associates feel the same way I do -- and I specify "many" because I don't know anybody that endorses this industry -- about animal cruelty and acquisition, so don't lay this off on the tea parties. Animal cruelty, particularly canine cruelty, is one reason why I will never forgive Michael Vick and still wish that authorities had kept him in prison for an additional 10 years.
Many Democrats voted against this bill. Statement From Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Against Prop B Picking a Reputable, Licensed Dog Breeding Facility Missouri Veterinary Medical Association member veterinarians care very much about the welfare of dogs in breeding facilities in our state. We have devoted our lives to the treatment of animals and the prevention of suffering and pain. We agree that there is a ‘puppy mill’ problem in Missouri and we want to resolve it. The issue of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act has come about because breeding facilities that are unlicensed are not being regulated or inspected. For a side-by-side comparison of the Proposition B ballot initiative and the current Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act click here. Our state has good existing laws (Click here for current Missouri dog breeder regulations), but those laws need enforcement. Cases of neglect and bad conditions have come mainly from unlicensed breeders who are not overseen by state inspection. Passing blanket initiatives (Click to view a copy of the ballot initiative) without careful consideration of the facts and ignoring existing law is not in the best interest of the dogs we are trying to protect. The MVMA believes the answer lies in adequate funding for more inspections and better enforcement. You can do your part by making certain your next puppy is not from a puppy mill. Report them, don’t support them! Click here for "Operation Bark Alert" reporting site. For more information, ask your veterinarian for a brochure on “How to Choose a Puppy” or click here to view a copy. Prop B isn't about animal welfare or puppy cruelty. It's about adding regulations to the pet industry that can be used as a wedge for future legislation and enforcement. Read the laws on the book. Vote No on Prop B.
^^ What does that even mean? This wasnt even a bill, it was a voter referendum. Not to mention your article doesnt even say anything about how political parties feel about repealing the referendum.
Since the links in your post don't work, can you explain exactly what Prop B does that pre-existing doesn't do and why these new provisions are unreasonable?
I'm not a Democrat from Missouri who was against this. Maybe you should ask the Democrat puppy killers.
The key votes were cast by four senators who voted to repeal Prop B even though their constituents had backed it. They were Republican Sens. Scott Rupp of Wentzville, Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph and Bob Dixon of Springfield, and Democrat Victor Callahan of Independence http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...cle_8a404eaf-754c-5213-a8f2-55ac7260a466.html Here is the contact info for Democrat Victor Callahan who voted to repeal Prop B. Report back to us with what the Democrat puppy killer let's you know. Capitol Office: 201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 333 Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 751-3074 FAX: (573) 751-4551 EMail Legislative Staff: Tom Hoppe Chris Schappe Home Address: 132 East Short Independence, MO 64050 http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem11.htm
Many puppy-killing democrats initially voted against Prop B, one puppy-killing Democrat Senator voted to repeal it.
So... there are Democrats who support/run puppy mills, too. The same thing, I suspect, is true of any referendum and most legislations. Doesn't mean Republicans do not constitute the majority of puppy cruelty supporters.
