|
|
Published June 30, 2009 10:06 pm - CARTHAGE, Mo. — Missouri will put more bite in its efforts to investigate and prosecute unlicensed dog breeders, state Attorney General Chris Koster said Tuesday during a stop at the Carthage Humane Society. Koster joined Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler to discuss the second phase of the crackdown, dubbed Prosecution Bark Alert.
Missouri officials outline efforts against unlicensed dog breeders
By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Missouri will put more bite in its efforts to investigate and prosecute unlicensed dog breeders, state Attorney General Chris Koster said Tuesday during a stop at the Carthage Humane Society.
Koster joined Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler to discuss the second phase of the crackdown, dubbed Prosecution Bark Alert. The program was announced Monday in St. Louis.
The state for years has been criticized as the capital for so-called puppy mills, but Hagler said that since February, authorities have located more than 200 unlicensed dog breeders and rescued nearly 1,900 dogs. He said the raids were part of first phase of the enforcement effort, Operation Bark Alert, starting after he urged state residents to report puppy mills and other unlicensed breeders.
“Missouri has led the nation in unlicensed breeders,” he said. “Now we want to lead in cracking down on them.”
The Carthage shelter recently took more than 30 puppies that were among 80 taken in a raid on a puppy mill near Mansfield, said Tish Bentlage, shelter manager.
She said puppy mills and other unlicensed breeders account for about 40 percent of the animals that find their way to the shelter.
“Substandard and unlicensed dog-breeding facilities are a recognized problem in our state,” Koster said. “The General Assembly has set a standard for such facilities, and this attorney general’s office intends to enforce that standard.”
Bentlage said animals that are taken from puppy mills often arrive at shelters with health problems and other issues.
Jane Platt, a member of the Humane Society’s board of directors, said people who want a purebred dog can find many purebreds at animal shelters.
“They don’t need to go to a breeder and spend a lot of money,” she said.
Koster and Hagler said the Department of Agriculture and the attorney general’s office are working together to take legal action against breeders who are not licensed. Missouri law requires dog breeders to become licensed with the Animal Care Facilities Act Program in the state Department of Agriculture.
“Since Operation Bark Alert was announced in February, my office has taken legal action against several unregistered breeders who were raided by the Department of Agriculture, rescue groups and local law-enforcement officials,” Koster said. “We plan to file against irresponsible breeders, and require they comply with the law or shut their doors. Substandard, unlicensed dog-breeding operations will not be welcome in Missouri.”
State officials were shown several dogs at the Carthage shelter, including puppies taken in the Mansfield raid, and Koster praised the operation.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
See all ads |
|
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|