Missouri tries to shed reputation as 'puppy mill' capital of U.S Operation Bark Alert Operation Bark Alert April 7, 2009 seMissourian.com: Story: Mo. tries to shed reputation as 'puppy mill' capital of U.S. Missouri is the "puppy mill" capital of America, home to more than 4,000 shoddy and inhumane dog-breeding businesses, by one estimate. But now the state is trying to shed its reputation, with the chief of the Agriculture Department pledging to do more to crack down on bad breeders. "Missouri led the nation in licensing breeders. Let's lead the nation in putting unlicensed breeders out of business," agriculture director Jon Hagler said. 'It's embarrassing' June 30, 2009 seMissourian.com: Story: Unlicensed dog breeders targeted by Missouri initiative Missouri is starting to crack down on Unlicensed dog breeders. The unlicensed breeders problem in Missouri came about as a result of these regulations not being enforced and the issue being neglected for too long, said Attorney General Chris Koster. "For a long time, the General Assembly turned a blind eye toward puppy mills," Koster said. More than 2,000 dogs have been rescued so far as a result of the crackdown, many of them having suffered neglect and abuse at substandard facilities, Koster said. In addition to often poor health conditions at unlicensed breeder facilities, such operations put properly licensed breeders at a competitive disadvantage, Hagler said. The first part of "Bark Alert," enacted in February, focused on raising awareness and gathering information -- much of it in the form of anonymous tips -- about these breeders, Hagler said. Now the focus turns to eradicating those facilities through legal action, Hagler said. "It'll put a lot more teeth in the Bark Alert," Hagler said. Koster said investigations have already pinpointed seven cases of unlicensed breeding operations he thinks can be prosecuted. Penalties involve $1,000 fines per violation, a punishment that could get costly for an operation with 40-plus dogs, Hagler said. |
Doesn't a lot of YorkieTalk members protest against licensed breeders? And it seems that these YT members believe licensed breeders are puppymillers? And unlicensed breeders are seen as Back Yard or Back Room breeders? |
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I'm glad Missouri is doing something about the problem, at least requiring a license will enable officials to do some sort of inspections. Again, this is one of the reasons you should not buy your dog from a pet store or over the web, you must check out the kennel yourself, to ensure the dogs are getting proper treatment. Forget about rescuing a puppy from the puppy mill, we need to rescue the adult breeding dogs who are being abused. |
:goodpost: ....and I heartedly agree |
That is a good explanation. Missouri has regulations that if you have 3 intact females and sell the puppies, you are required to be licensed. I would think that anyone who breeds and sells their puppies and offers stud service at a fee is expecting to make money off their dogs, wouldn't you? I think MO also has a certain amount that you can make before you are required to have a license whether you have 3 intact females over the age of 6 months or one. If you are actively showing and can prove it you can have 10 females and be classified as a hobby breeder, but still have to be licensed and subject to state inspection and charge and pay state sales and income tax and federal income tax. I suppose it is the unlicensed persons who are creating problems? All very complicated thing. |
Stormy came from Missouri. A puppymill around Gravois Mills. :mad: Sorry to say but when I think of Missouri that's all that comes to my head is puppymills! Kind of strange how Missouri is so close with "Misery", poor dogs :( |
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