Proposition B on the Nov. 2 general election ballot is being promoted as a measure to get rid of inhumane puppy mills.
But if we can believe organizations like Missouri Farm Bureau and The Alliance For Truth, one might find there is more at stake here.
First of all, Missouri has laws on the books that, if enforced, would eliminate the operations that proponents of Proposition B use to promote their cause.
The Missouri statutes go on page after page with specific guidelines, rules and regulations dealing with the care and protection of animals.
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) is specific in how animals should be cared for.
Second, take a look at who is supporting Proposition B. Just because Tony LaRusa works for the St. Louis Cardinals doesn’t mean he’s a Missourian. He lives in California.
Missouri Farm Bureau says the proposition is aimed at eliminating legal, licensed professional dog breeders in Missouri.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not concerned about the care of animals, but rather is an East Coast fundraising organization. Less than one-half of one percent of the money raised by the group is used to rescue dogs and cats.
If implemented, Proposition B will hurt commercial pet breeders who are currently licensed and inspected by the Missouri Department of Agriculture under existing laws and regulations.
Proposition B would limit legal, licensed breeders to no more than 50 dogs, period. Can you imagine what would happen if the same rules were applied to cattle producers, chicken farmers, or perhaps businesses like Crystal Lake Fisheries here at Ava that sells trout all over the United States?
Missouri Farm Bureau believes that if Proposition B passes, it may only be a matter of time before HSUS is back in the state demanding that farmers and hunters comply with these regulations.
The Alliance For Truth says only unlicensed, substandard breeders will be left to produce puppies while continuing to hide from state laws. Those who try to abide by the laws will suffer.
Proposition B creates a class C misdemeanor crime of “cruelty” for any violation during an inspection of a kennel by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, including a drop of food in a water bowl, or a cobweb in the corner of a building.
Before you vote for Proposition B to shut down inhumane puppy mills, take a good hard look at the laws that are on the books now and then look at what Proposition B would do to legal, licensed breeders. You may be surprised.
