There is a bill up for vote in Missouri that would ban puppy mills. But instead of this being a simple thing you'd think everyone with a heart would vote for, people are trying to turn it into a politically divisive issue.
Some Tea Party folks - and Joe the Plumber from the last Presidential election cycle, among others - are trying to tell everyone to vote NO on Prop. B, because it is "anti-business" and "radical" - which is just not true. They say it is trying to make it more expensive for individual families to own dogs. They claim it "limits the number of dogs" a "family" can own. They claim no one could possibly comply with the regulations.
None of this is true. Okay, it does "limits the number of dogs" a "family" can own - but the limit is 50 dogs. Do you know any family who has 50 dogs?
It demands such "radical" measures as
Does this sound "radical" to you? "Anti-business?" Or like common sense and decency?... Any person having custody or ownership of more than ten female covered dogs for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet shall provide each covered dog:
(1) Sufficient food and clean water;
(2) Necessary veterinary care;
(3) Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
(4) Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend his or her limbs;
(5) Regular exercise; and
(6) Adequate rest between breeding cycles.
Here is the actual statute: Proposition B
Missouri has an estimated 30% of the puppy mills known in operation in the US. If you buy a puppy from a pet store, there's a pretty good chance it came from these horrible places.
And how would this make it more expensive for families to own pets? The same dog you can get for a small adoption fee from a rescue or shelter can cost $800 or more at a "store," and people who don't know better pay that money, and sometimes end up with a very sick pup, and/or one with genetic problems from poor breeding.
Oh, sometimes people make me so angry!
If you live in Missouri or know anyone who does, please, please tell them if they have any doubts, read the actual proposition. It is pretty straightforward and would serve to outlaw many of these horrible, horrible places.
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Originally Posted by Karen
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