JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- More debate happened Wednesday over one of the hottest issues to be taken up by the Missouri legislature this year: the proposed repeal of the state puppy mill initiative.
Just one day after the Missouri Senate endorsed legislation that would repeal most of the puppy mill law, the Humane Society of the United States came out with its second list of the Dirty Dozen, the 12 worst dog breeding operations in the state.
"It illustrates that there are dogs that have oozing sores, they have injuries, eye problems, dental issues, some dogs are so matted that they cannot walk, some dogs have lost their limbs," Missouri State Director for the Humane Society Barb Schmitz said.
A few weeks ago we told you about representative Jason Smith's family's dog breeding operation in Salem, Missouri.
They appeared on last year's list of the Dirty Dozen and they're back again in 2011.
The family's operation isn't the only one to make a second appearance,
Actually nine of the original dirty dozen are on the list again this year, still with state and or federal licensing.
The list also has six new kennels added to the report, all are both state and federally licensed.
On the other side of the aisle, Republican Representative Stanley Cox of Sedalia held a press conference about his house bill proposal Wednesday.
"We take out those things which simply will drive the 1,400 legitimate licensed dealers out of business and we actually provide funding where they could go after those people who are not licensed," Cox said.
But Schmitz said the bill systematically guts out the core provisions of the puppy mill law.
"What it will do is turn back the clock so that we're once again left with inadequate care for dogs at these big facilities," Schmitz said.
The bill endorsed Tuesday by a senate committee is waiting for a formal vote before going on to the house and the governors desk.
The humane society said the purpose of the dirty dozen list is to quote "demonstrate the current problems that could be addressed by Prop B".
If the legislature and the governor fail to approve the repeal, the initiative will take effect in November.
What do you think should happy to the Puppy Mill Law?
Should it be repealed?
If so, why?
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