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Published June 30, 2009 12:10 am - ST. LOUIS — The state that has come under fire for being the “puppy mill” capital of the U.S. on Monday announced an aggressive campaign to investigate and prosecute unlicensed dog breeders. Missouri: State to prosecute unlicensed dog breeders The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — The state that has come under fire for being the “puppy mill” capital of the U.S. on Monday announced an aggressive campaign to investigate and prosecute unlicensed dog breeders. Prosecution Bark Alert is the second phase of Missouri’s effort to stop unlicensed and substandard dog breeders from operating in the state. Missouri, estimated to have more than 4,000 shoddy and inhumane high-volume dog-breeding businesses, has been identified as the nation’s capital for “puppy mills.” The state is trying to shed that reputation, and Agriculture Director Jon Hagler has pledged to do more to crack down on bad breeders. Earlier this year, Hagler announced Operation Bark Alert, which allows people to report unlicensed breeders directly to him by e-mail. On Monday, he said that effort had identified more than 200 unlicensed breeders now under investigation. They were reported by neighbors, puppy purchasers and others. Joined by Attorney General Chris Koster, Hagler said the next phase would involve Missouri’s top law enforcement agency prosecuting breeders who refuse to obtain a license and meet state standards. Since taking office in January, Hagler has taken steps to better enforce a 1992 state law for protecting animals raised by breeders. But he also has said his agency does not have the resources to conduct inspections every year as required by law. Monday’s message was more emphatic. “Unlicensed breeders put licensed operators at a competitive disadvantage and animals at risk,” said Hagler, who has adopted a puppy mill rescue, an Australian shepherd named Jackson. “Missouri has led the nation in licensing professional breeders. We will lead the nation in cracking down on unlicensed breeders.” Koster said he has assigned an attorney to work with agriculture inspectors to “corral” and prosecute substandard and unlicensed breeders, who will be shut down if they refuse to meet state standards. Agriculture inspector Matt Rold said operators who voluntarily close may sell their animals at auctions. Critics contend this puts the dogs at risk of being acquired by other questionable breeders. But a new state policy requires animals surrendered as part of a state shutdown to be turned over to the Humane Society of Missouri or other credible rescue groups for adoption, Rold said. Operators must agree in writing not to resume operations for another five years. “For too long, we haven’t paid attention to this problem,” Koster said. That’s about to change, he said: Seven active investigations will be announced in the next couple of weeks. “We want to send a message to clean up the industry and put an end to animal cruelty,” Koster said. “People have cared about this a long time. Government hasn’t cared about it until now.” Breeders who willfully operate without a license face penalties of $1,000 per violation or each dog sold. The state also will work with counties to prosecute cases of animal abuse. 
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