Comments on: HSUS targets Missouri

By: Cyndi Young

Cyndi Young — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:39:28 +0000

Are you a farmer or rancher? If you are, you should be concerned.

By: John Stone

John Stone — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:21:03 +0000

Is this an article or just another rant.

It appears to be a rant. Next thing you know, the commies will be at our doorstep.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:39:07 +0000

Interesting in that this potential legislation exempts animal rescue and any other “humane” type organizations from their own proposed law regarding the care,feeding,watering,facilities design and maintenance.

By: Cyndi Young

Cyndi Young — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:22:11 +0000

The petitions were sent to the Secretary of State’s office. You can contact them to get copies.

By: Cyndi Young

Cyndi Young — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:55:00 +0000

The good news is that a coalition of ag groups in the state has been formed. It is crucial that ALL of us work together!

By: Judy Bower

Judy Bower — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:12:44 +0000

I completely agree with Sarah on the negative impact this legislation would inflict on conscientious breeders. We have registered cattle and raise a few pups to sell directly to the public. We do not sell to pet stores or brokers. We want to know that our pups are taken care of by their new families…so the potential “adoptive family” is closely screened prior to allowing them to purchase one of our pups. Our dogs are not just about the money. They are loved and appreciated beyond measure. The HSUS has stereotyped our industry to be evil and uncaring. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are puppy mills out there that are a disgrace and should be shut down….but this law will do nothing to impact those breeders. We run a licensed kennel and we are proud of the way we care for our animals. Anyone who is inspected by the USDA and the State of Missouri have to meet strict guidelines and undergo “unannounced inspections” by these authorities. This industry is already “over regulated” when compared to the cattle industry. As livestock producers, we all need to be alarmed at the degree of regulation already in place with the pet industry. You are absolutely right…every other livestock producing farm will be attacked by HSUS if this foolishness is not stopped now. The people in the “backwoods” that don’t care about their dogs are never inspected because they are illegally producing pups without a license….they break the existing laws of the State of Missouri by not registering to become licensed breeders. Another law will have no impact on these breeders. They will continue to illegally produce pups…..but the newly proposed law will negatively impact the families who have dedicated themselves to the proper care of these companion animals. We all need to band together as an agricultural community before it is too late. If we think it is all going to eventually die down and just go away, we are wrong! These radicals are never too busy to try to destroy the family farmer!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:06:10 +0000

Sorry for the accidental ‘doub le comment’. I did find the full text here – http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills091/biltxt/intro/HB1004I.htm

So, this is a very interesting proposed change. While I agree that access to fresh water and food and exercise is necessary, why limit the number of dogs and why spell out space requirements? All breeds of dogs are different. For example – We have to keep our baies in ambient temperatures above 85 degrees because they can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first few days of life…What about a breeder who has large litters of puppies and keeps them to evaluate for show? A breeder with 10 females and 3 males could potentially have over 50 dogs, including puppies 4 or 5 months old at some point – especially in large breed dogs with litters of 12 or 15 puppies.

I could ramble on and on about this proposed act. The point is, no one in this state wants to see animals treated with cruelty. I assume that many citizens with no real understanding of breeding would easily want this to pass, but this law is not the answer.More laws are not the answer.Enforcing the current law is the answer. Most of these ‘puppy mills’ that get so much national attention are not licensed or inspected facilities. If the point is to prevent cruelty, this law will not do that. The people who ‘operate’ outside the law will continue to do so, and the only people this will effect is those who are already licensed and inspected. This law will do nothing to stop puppy mills.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:28:27 +0000

Is there somewhere that we can read the full text of the petition or proposed law?