subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sun, Nov 08 2009 

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.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

SEEKING MICROSOFT SYSTEMS ANALYST
Seeking Microsoft Systems Analyst. Candidate will assist with presales consulting, primary installation and support of W...>MORE

MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for
Member Services Associates.
These part-t
...>MORE

OFFICE PERSON NEEDED

Some experience. Apply in person: Coss Painting, 712 Willard, Joplin.
...>MORE

3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE

TRUCK BROKERS
TRUCK BROKERS LANGE LOGISTICS, INC., a 3PL company seeks Account Managers in Joplin. Openings also in Dallas, Nashville ...>MORE

OPIES TRANSPORT
Now Hiring Over the Road Drivers with 2 years experience. 800-341-9963 www.opiestransport.com ...>MORE

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE

MARS PET CARE

in Miami Ok. is now accepting applications for a Lead A position, on 2nd or 3rd shift. The position requires a hi
...>MORE

HIRING HAIR STYLIST
NOW HIRING HAIR STYLIST. Fun and energetic salon. 417-845-0555, Tanya....>MORE

PHONE SALES
Now hiring part time for data entry and phone sales. 20 hour/week. Apply in person at 4710 E 32nd Street. Joplin....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY
127,000 miles, nice and clean, $3420. 529-2207....>MORE

2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE

2000 Freightliner
$20,000 Century Classic, 745,943 miles; 1998 Freightliner $15,000, 400,888 miles; 1996 Volvo $25,000, 1,167,593 miles 1 ...>MORE

1989 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD
Low miles, must sell. (417)396-3950....>MORE

TOYOTA, 2009 CAMRY LE,
excellent conditon, black/tan, 29,500 miles, bought from Fletcher, warranty, $18,900. 417-793-1613...>MORE

1993 ISUZU TROOPER
$2000 Good Interior Needs tune up. 417-396-8811....>MORE

1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE

1990 FREIGHLINER CAB OVER
set back axle, 400 Cummins, 9 speed over drive, flat top, big sleeper, 10 near new tires, new transmission, new brakes a...>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR
Super sharp, loaded, cold air front and rear, extra clean, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2008 HONDA RUCKUS
black, low mileage, $1500. 918-961-8995....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

1617 JEFFERSON CIRCLE
3 BR, 2 ba, gar, fence, updated electric $63,000. 629-6135...>MORE

HISTORICAL ROCK FILLING STATION

on Route 66 with lots of updates This solid old building has 1200 sq. ft. on 100x100 lot, on Main Street of Carter
...>MORE

2 BR, 9523 HIGHWAY NN
$450/$400; 417-592-2088....>MORE

FURNISHED 3 BR
2 ba, 1750 sq. ft. vaulted ceilings, located in S. Joplin, near Shoal Creek, $97,500. Usa Real Estate 417-781-1233....>MORE

OPEN HOUSE 2-4 P.M.
3 br, 2 ba, 2-car gar., 1660 sq. ft. with lots of amenities, 2228 W. 29th. $129,900. 417-825-0557....>MORE

1219 XENIA COURT
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 P.M. 3 br, 2 ba, $84,000. 629-6135....>MORE

3 BR, 2 BA, FIREPLACE
2 car attached, corner lot. Royal Heights area. $103,500. 417-434-0502 or 417-673-5584....>MORE

3 BR, 1 BA, 827 S. PICHER
central heat/air, refrigerator, stove $500/$500. 437-6365....>MORE

GROVE, GRAND LAKE, OK.

Beautiful 2-story 2-kitchen Lake Home with Million $$$ lakefront. Stunning Commercial Building for restaurant or o
...>MORE

OPEN SATURDAY 9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Sunday 1-4 p.m. 3 br on 2 lots, central heat/air, vinyl siding/windows. See to appreciate. $29,900. 823 S. Sergeant. (91...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE

2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE

WANENMACHER’S WORLD’S LARGEST
GUN SHOW -November 14 and 15. Tulsa Fairgrounds, Saturday, 8-6 p.m., Sunday 8-4 p.m. www.tulsaarmsshow.com....>MORE

1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE

COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE

COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE

2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE

14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE

CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE

CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition