Poll on Missouri Proposition B (Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act)
Next week voters in Missouri will decide if they want to pass Proposition B:
“Shall Missouri law be amended to:
- require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles;
- prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets; and
- create a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations?
It is estimated state governmental entities will incur costs of $654,768 (on-going costs of $521,356 and one-time costs of $133,412). Some local governmental entities may experience costs related to enforcement activities and savings related to reduced animal care activities.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles. The amendment further prohibits any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets. The amendment also creates a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations.A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding dog breeders.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.”
The poll this week seeks to get a sense of how readers feel about this issue.
From the pro side:
“Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills, breeding hundreds of thousands of puppies, far more than any other state in the country. Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life. Dogs at puppy mills must endure constant breeding cycles. Dogs from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog’s health, genetic history or future welfare.” (source)
From the con side:
“As families in Missouri struggle to make ends meet, radical animal rights activists are using emotional ballot language to push economy crippling legislation. If Prop B were to pass:
- BLUE RIBBON KENNELS WILL BE FORCED TO CLOSE DUE TO EXCESSIVE REGULATION AND PENALTIES
- JOBS WILL BE LOST AT PET STORES, KENNELS, AND FOOD PRODUCERS WHO EMPLOY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MISSOURIANS STATEWIDE
- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TAX DOLLARS A YEAR WILL BE WASTED ENFORCING NEEDLESS REGULATIONS ON MISSOURI’S RESPECTED, LICENSED DOG-BREEDERS, WHILE THE UNLICENSED PROBLEM-BREEDERS REMAIN UNCHECKED
While unemployment rates continue to rise, Proposition B will cause more small businesses to go under and put many Missourians out of their jobs.” (Source)
Further reading:
- Ballotpedia
- Supporters (Missourians for the Protection of Dogs)
- Opposition (Alliance for Truth)
- ‘Puppy mill’ proposition divides state (Columbia Daily Tribune)
The poll is in the upper right corner of the blog. Â The final results will be presented before the vote on Tuesday November 2, 2010.
– Steve Patterson
