Missouri's Puppy Mill Problem
USDA Fails to Crack Down on Puppy Mills
According to an internal government report, many dogs in USDA-licensed commercial breeding facilities are living in horrific conditions, and some are needlessly dying, due to lax government enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.
The USDA’s Office of Inspector General recently conducted another unfavorable audit of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), the unit responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act by inspecting and licensing commercial dog breeders and brokers. These government investigators have concluded that the USDA agency in charge of enforcing the law often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties, and fails to properly document the inhumane treatment of dogs.
Investigations of Missouri facilities for this report were conducted before the current administration took the reins in Jefferson City. In early 2009, the Governor and the Director of Missouri Department of Agriculture announced a new program to report unlicensed dog breeders throughout the state. There is no doubt that unlicensed activity has thrived in our state due in part to Missouri’s long-standing reputation for lax enforcement of the law and an unwillingness to impose monetary penalties when violations are found. During the 2010 legislative session, various supporters of the pet breeding industry attributed Missouri’s negative image almost exclusively to the activities of unlicensed breeders. With so many Missouri dog breeders being licensed by USDA, the findings of this report would strongly suggest that serious problems persist in many licensed as well as unlicensed facilities in Missouri.
We look forward to a vigorous response from the Missouri Department of Agriculture which will reflect USDA’s determination to step up investigation and enforcement activity for all facilities, not just those which are unlicensed.
Puppy Mill Ballot Initiative News
Great Court Victory for the Dogs of Missouri!
Judge rejects Opponents' challenge to
Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act
As of last Friday, we are another step closer to curbing abuses in
puppy mills here in Missouri. While many of you worked tirelessly gathering
signatures to place the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act -- now "Proposition B"
-- on the ballot in November, representatives of the commercial dog breeding
industry were working the courts to block your efforts.
(Read More)
Puppy Mill Ballot Initiative Certified by
Secretary of State!
Proposition "B" will appear on November Ballot!
JEFFERSON CITY
(August 3, 2010) – The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has announced
official certification of the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act”, a landmark
ballot initiative to improve the lives of dogs in Missouri’s commercial breeding
facilities. It will appear as Proposition “B” on the November 2, 2010 statewide
ballot. (Read More)
More Than 190,000 Missouri Voters Sign Petition to Place Puppy Mill
Initiative on November Ballot.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (May 2, 2010) - 190,127 signatures were submitted today to the Secretary of State's office in an attempt to qualify the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act for the November 2010 ballot. Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, the group spearheading the citizen-backed initiative, gathered nearly twice as many signatures as required.
(Read More)
Read the Petition on the Secretary of State's
Website
Click here to read the petition. (Opens a new window)
Make a Donation today to fight puppy mills.
Please spread the word about Prop B and the importance of a YES!
vote on November 2. For more information on the initiative, check out
www.missourifordogs.com. The
Alliance is proud to be part of this effort to relieve suffering for thousands
of dogs which are confined for their entire lives in breeding facilities. Please
help us continue to be a voice for them in Missouri by contributing today.
Map of Commercial Breeders and Dealers by State
Map of Commercial Breeders and Dealers by State
Map of Commercial Breeders and Dog Auction Barns in Missouri by County
Map of Commercial Breeders and Dog Auction Barns in Missouri by County
Puppy Mill Survivor of the Month
Puppy Mill Survivor of the Month
“Lily” - Read my story
Photo by Marian Brickner
Archive of past month`s stories
The Puppy Mill Survivor Video
Original Music by David Penpek
|
