According to the Missouri Secretary of State's office, the official ballot title reads as follows:[7]
Official Ballot Title:
Shall Missouri law be amended to:
require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles;
prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets; and
create a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations?
It is estimated state governmental entities will incur costs of $654,768 (on-going costs of $521,356 and one-time costs of $133,412). Some local governmental entities may experience costs related to enforcement activities and savings related to reduced animal care activities.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles. The amendment further prohibits any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets. The amendment also creates a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations.
A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding dog breeders.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Support
Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Ballot Petition, 5/2/10
According to supporters they are "specifically focusing on large-scale breeding facilities." The main organization in support of the initiative is Missourians for the Protection of Dogs. It is a coalition made of the following groups: Humane Society of Missouri, Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Humane Society of the United States.[8] On May 10, Missourians for the Protection of Dogs unveiled the support of Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa and Linda Bond, wife of U.S. Sen. Kit Bond.[9][10] The Jackson County Legislature also endorsed Proposition B.[11]
Arguments
Barbara Schmitz, of the Missourians for the Protection of Dogs said, "The regulations on the books now...ensure that dogs in these facilities survive, but don’t do much more than that. We’re trying to insert animal-welfare provisions into the large-scale breeding equation."[12]
In response to opponents who argue that the initiative is a "backdoor attempt at targeting confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Missouri" supporters said that that was a separate issue. Barbara Schmitz, of the Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, said, "There's absolutely no intent to come back and somehow reach in to animal agriculture."[13]
Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa said, "Missouri is known as ‘the puppy mill capital of America’ because of the large number of commercial dog breeding kennels found throughout the state. Tens of thousands of dogs suffer in these facilities from inadequate shelter, lack of veterinary care, and harsh breeding conditions."[9]
In response to opponents who argue that the measure will lead to future restrictions and regulations, Humane Society of the United States president and CEO Wayne Pacelle said, "The measure is what it is. It's just about dogs. There is no suggestion there is farm animal language in there. It's about dogs." He added, "Any future reform would have to go through the normal process of making new laws. In the legislature the farm bureau has great power. I don't think there is any risk on that front."[
(Source Ballot Pedia)
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