JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- A Missouri House committee is taking up a proposal Tuesday to overturn a new dog-breeding law approved by state voters last year.
A bill by House Republican Tony Dugger, of Hartville, calls for the repeal of Proposition B.
Missouri voters passed Proposition B in November with 52% of the votes. The voter-backed law limits dog breeders to 50 animals and requires daily feeding, annual veterinary care and greater access to outdoor exercise. It's scheduled to take effect this November.
The ballot initiative was backed by national animal rights groups critical of the state's reputation as the "puppy mill capital." Agricultural groups and other opponents say the changes will punish law-abiding breeders and could lead to further efforts to restrict livestock production in Missouri.
In November, the Missouri Farm Bureau told KRCG News they were disappointed with the passage of Prop B.
"If you would look at what Humane Society of the United States and other activist organizations are doing and have been in other states in regards of regulating animal production. They have been to at least 15 states and they've done that,” MO Farm Bureau Kelly Smith said. “That’s why there is concern for Missouri farmers and ranchers because of the activity has been and is currently going on in other states in regards to animal production."
Before lawmakers came back to session in early January, the group, “Missourians for the Protection of Dogs” installed billboards on highways leading into Jefferson City saying, "Missouri voters have spoken. Will you listen?” accompanied with a picture of a puppy. The group said the billboards were a message to lawmakers.
At that time, State Senator Bill Stouffer said he had already started the fight against the new puppy mill law.
Stouffer filed legislation to repeal the so-called "puppy mill law" because he says it's hurting legitimate dog breeders, "If people are ignoring the law now, there is nothing in 'prop b' that they aren't going to ignore tomorrow. I mean it does absolutely nothing to help the problem, there is no funding.”
Proponents of the puppy mill law said Souffer is flat out wrong. Barbara Schmitz is the Campaign Director of Missourians for the Protection of Dogs. She said the old laws weren't good enough before prop b was passed, "Laws were vague, and because of that, thousands of dogs suffered through cruel and inhumane conditions."
Schmitz went on to tell KRCG News they took this issue to the voters because the legislature didn't do anything for 18 years.
(The Associated Press contribued to this story.)
What do you think? Should lawmakers repeal Prop B? Or should they keep with what Missourians voted? Let us know with your comments below.
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