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Director's Update on Puppy Mills DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REQUIRES THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT LETTERS TO THE DEPARTMENT The new regulations to fully implement the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act (CCPA) have been finalized and contain the following definition for examination: "Examination means a complete physical evaluation from head to tail of a covered dog or cat by a licensed veterinarian to include auscultation, palpation, and a visual inspection in which the heart rate, respiratory rate, breeding soundness, and the results of palpation are assessed and recorded as indicated on the forms provided." This provision is very significant and is essential to help ensure the health and welfare of breeding dogs. Many of these dogs are repeatedly bred and live under very stressful conditions. To promote their well-being, the Alliance insisted that a requirement for an annual veterinary examination of each dog be written into the new CCPA. The dog breeders’ efforts to weaken this provision have failed. The long time practice of paying veterinarians to simply walk through the barns and kennel buildings, without ever actually taking the dogs out of their cages to exam them to verify that the dogs are healthy, is about to come to an end. The attending veterinarians will now be required to perform a thorough hands-on physical examination. Thank you so much for your letters of support for a hands-on examination. An adequate veterinary examination is crucial to ensure the welfare of dogs in mass breeding establishments. Your efforts are truly making a difference. Thanks! Bob Bob Baker Executive Director Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation . |
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© Copyright 2012 Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation |
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