Mo. House rolls back Puppy Mill law

When voters approved the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act”, commonly called “Proposition B”, few guessed the issue of puppies would so divide state lawmakers….they were wrong.

The dog-breeding issue has pit urban vs. rural, with rural lawmakers largely opposed to greater regulation.

The House voted to on Wednesday roll back portions of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, commonly called “Proposition B”.

Barbara Schmitz is the Director of the Missouri Humane Society. She says the move is slap in the face of state voters.

"Well, it’s a travesty that both the House and the Senate have voted in support of a measure that would roll back something that the voters just spoke to a few months ago," Schmitz said.

Schmitz says the bill remove requirements for cage size, access to water, and regular veterinary care. "SB113 unfortunately goes through and systematically strips away the increased protections that Prop B provides," she said.

Governor Nixon’s office has given no indication if he will approve or veto the measure.

Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio

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Prop B supporters protest changes to law

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI PUBLIC RADIO) - Protesters walked the halls of the Capitol, to defend the choice Missouri voters made last November when they approved Proposition B.

The bill to repeal parts of Proposition B was given first round approval by the Senate last week, a decision some Missouri dog lovers don't agree with.

The protesters say the bill would give power back to the dog breeders. Sponsor of the bill Senator Mike Parson says the protesters do not fully understand what his bill does.

"I don't agree with them. I think they're trying to say things that are really not true. They are going around saying we are trying to repeal the bill and that's their mindset that's fine, but I don't think my intent was ever to repael proposition B," Parsons said.

Parson says his bill improves on prop B, by strengthening laws against unlicensed breeders.

Protester Susan Tolliver says she is embarrassed by the state of Missouri's association with puppy millswhich have been chronicled on national television programs. The protestors hope to encourage legislators to vote aginst the bill.

Megan McGinnis, Missouri Digital News

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Mo. Senate votes to undo Prop B

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - In what has become an urban vs. rural debate since November, the Missouri Senate voted to undo some Proposition B measures restricting activity in state dog breeding facilities.

Twenty Missouri Senators voted against some of the restrictions voters passed with Proposition B in November.

The bill lifts the 50-dog limit and larger cage size requirements in breeding facilities.

Although the bill passed out of the Senate, Republican St. Louis Senator John Lamping warned there is a problem easing restrictions Missourians voted to pass.

"There's a risk to legislating this way, by proposition. I think I'm quite confident that my district read the bill, did their best to understand the bill, and voted their will. I think this is a very dangerous way to legislate," Lamping said.

The bill now will go to the House.

Meghann Mollerus, Missouri Digital News

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Missouri Senate votes to cut back Prop B

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - The Missouri Senate gave first round approval to undo the controversial Proposition B on Tuesday.

Just months after 52 percent of Missourians voted to place restrictions on dog breeders, Missouri's Senate is trying to overturn that vote.

The changes to Prop B include lifting the 50 dog limit, increasing licensing fees, and clarifying what a domesticated animal is.

Greene County Republican Senator Bob Dixon says lawmakers need to do what is right and not popular.

"Although Prop B did pass by almost 51 percent in my district, I do, as I said, have some concerns with it. But I respect the will and I respect the intent of the people. I also recognize that we don't live in a democracy, we live in a representative democracy, and there is a big difference," Dixon said.

The bill needs one more vote in the Senate.

Emily Kissee, Missouri Digital News

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Opposition to "puppy mill" law remains strong

JACKSON, MO (KRCU) - The debate over the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act is not quite over. Even though Missouri voters narrowly approved the proposition last November, lawmakers are scurrying to introduce bills to repeal or amend the law.

Representative Donna Lichtenegger thinks that the proposition campaign was deceptive and that voters confused the Humane Society of the United States with the local animal shelters that bear the same name. Lichtenegger says that the Humane Society of the United States is an extremist outside group that is dedicated to changing animal agriculture.

“There have been indications that they are going to come out against other farm animals within our state. And we are one of the top ag states in the country. We’re fighting for our rights here,” Lichtenegger said.

The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act sets limits on the number of breeding females that a dog breeder can have at any given time and establishes standards of care for dogs in breeding facilities.

Lichtenegger will hold a town hall meeting about the law tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Missouri Extension in Jackson.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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