Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Dogs Can't Vote...






















Read about the campaign against puppy mills at Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation

On the November ballot, Missouri voters will be asked to make an important decision about the welfare of dogs in our state. Proposition B is the measure, and it has a few opponents.

Some believe that breeders can't afford the modifications that the proposition would require. Agricultural representatives fear that passage would open the door to further legislation regarding the treatment of farm animals. Hunters think that somehow the proposition will take away their right to hunt wildlife.

I read Proposition B. The St. Louis Post Dispatch sums up the major points quite accurately.

"Missouri's Proposition B would require anyone who has more than 10 breeding dogs to:

• Provide the dogs with access to food at least once a day and potable water continuously.

• Have each dog examined by a veterinarian yearly and use vets for "humane euthanasia," if needed.

• House dogs in pens large enough for them to 'stretch freely, lie down and fully extend" their limbs — between 12 square feet and 30 square feet, depending on the size of the dog.


• Prohibit stacked cages and wire flooring.


• Provide "unfettered access" to an outdoor exercise area.


• Breed dogs to produce no more than two litters in any 18-month period.


• Make knowingly violating the act a misdemeanor called "puppy mill cruelty."


• Bar breeders from having more than 50 breeding dogs.


• Take effect a year after it was passed by a majority of state voters."

Opponents of the bill should read it. There is no mention of farm animals at all, and the only thing I read about hunting was that hunting dogs were exempt from the proposition. And as far as cost is concerned, if breeders can't afford to give basic decent care to dogs, perhaps they should find another line of work.

Proposition B requires the humane treatment of dogs by breeders. How can anyone possibly be opposed to that?

Missouri has long held the dubious distinction of being called the "Puppy Mill State", where breeding females live a life of repetitive reproduction. In the worst conditions, these animals never leave the small wire cage where they live a life of abject misery, little more than a commodity used to produce as many puppies as possible. When their usefulness as breeding stock is over, it isn't unheard of for the animal to be destroyed, and sometimes in not a very pleasant manner.

Why is it that kindness must be legislated? You'd think the human species would have come a lot farther than that by now. But since we obviously still have a long way to go, legislate we must. For those of us who care about the welfare of dogs, there is only one choice on Proposition B.

To vote Yes.

17 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

We so hope the only and obvious choice is voted on and in by the humans of Missouri -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Paws are crossed for the passage of Proposition B in Missouri.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Oskar said...

We don't live in Missouri, but we'll make sure to check out the issues here before we vote in November!

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

BECKY said...

I'll be voting for it!

Linda O'Connell said...

Well said!

Cattis said...

If I could I'd knew what to vote. Humans can be so crule.

Sketching with Dogs said...

We hope the people of Missouri vote for the right choice, surely nobody can condone this treatment.
Sadly puppy mills are here too, I don't know how those people can look themselves in a mirror.
Lynne

Kapitein Haakje said...

wel said!!!!!!
Sanne always vote fur dogs!

Kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

Doris Sturm said...

I hope and pray that Missouri citizens will do the right thing and vote in favor of these animals and allow compassionate treatment of our most beloved friends to prevail!

God bless you,
Doris

Ann Summerville said...

It breaks my heart to see how some of these animals are treated.I can't believe that more states aren't promoting this. Good for Missouri - I hope it goes through. People don't like change and more often than not the ones who are most outspoken have not taken the time to read what's in the bill.

Ryker said...

Good Grief, how could anybody not agree with those minimal conditions???

Tammy said...

You've struck a nerve here; I'd like to see MUCH stricter requirements for breeders than this, but it's a start. Thank you so much for your incredibly important post, Pat!!

Lynn said...

Thanks for this reminder to vote YES.

Art and Sew Forth said...

How sad. There is no limit to the evil in the world. Fortunately, there are still many good people. May this overwhelmingly pass!

Unknown said...

Hi - we are new followers!

Marg said...

That sounds like an excellent Proposition and we sure hope it gets passed. It is about time these issues were addressed. Take care and have a great day.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

I'm not sure what the laws are in my home state of Georgia, but I'll look into it. You pose a valid question about kindness being legislated.