Here is a sad story in the Seattle Times about animal advocates in Missouri who worked to diminish puppy mills through legislative measures and the governor who overturned those measures.
For some reason "responsible" breeders in Missouri feel their businesses will be hurt by limiting the number of female dogs they can own to 50, only breeding a dog twice in an 18 month period, and - you'll love this one - "requiring the cages be tall enough so all dogs can stand up straight."
I am mystified about Missouri's Gov. Jay Nixon's decision to Repeal the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act after it was voted in by the majority of Missouri's voters. Um.... hellooo....remember democracy? Majority allegedly rules.
According to the article, the American Kennel Club opposed this bill because it limited the number of dogs a breeder could own. In the AKC's mission statement they claim to "protect the health and well being of all dogs". On their website it also says this: "We're more than champion dogs. We're the dog's champion." Why would a "responsible breeder" wish to have more than 50 female dogs? And why would a group that claims to be pro-dog and claims to uphold high standards of the breed oppose this bill? Are they really the dog's champion?
Champion of pain and discomfort maybe. Many of the puppies who come out of puppy mills go to their new homes sick - mange, heart worms, hip dysplasia - you name it. For the AKC to oppose an anti puppy mill bill goes against one of the organizations core values. Again, I am mystified.
And the most confusing of all - why would anyone fight against regulation that requires dog owners to give their dogs space to stand? We're just talking about space to stand upright in a cage - not space to run, balls to fetch, ropes to tug, children to hug - just a enough room to stand. & these so-called "responsible" are against that.
Sure - eventually they will have to provide the dogs with somewhat humane conditions. Breeders now have 5 years to provide their dogs with cages large enough for them to stand. They could probably build these with chicken wire in 5 weeks.
Again, I am mystified by all of this.
All I can say is Please - Don't Shop. Adopt.
For some reason "responsible" breeders in Missouri feel their businesses will be hurt by limiting the number of female dogs they can own to 50, only breeding a dog twice in an 18 month period, and - you'll love this one - "requiring the cages be tall enough so all dogs can stand up straight."
I am mystified about Missouri's Gov. Jay Nixon's decision to Repeal the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act after it was voted in by the majority of Missouri's voters. Um.... hellooo....remember democracy? Majority allegedly rules.
According to the article, the American Kennel Club opposed this bill because it limited the number of dogs a breeder could own. In the AKC's mission statement they claim to "protect the health and well being of all dogs". On their website it also says this: "We're more than champion dogs. We're the dog's champion." Why would a "responsible breeder" wish to have more than 50 female dogs? And why would a group that claims to be pro-dog and claims to uphold high standards of the breed oppose this bill? Are they really the dog's champion?
Champion of pain and discomfort maybe. Many of the puppies who come out of puppy mills go to their new homes sick - mange, heart worms, hip dysplasia - you name it. For the AKC to oppose an anti puppy mill bill goes against one of the organizations core values. Again, I am mystified.
And the most confusing of all - why would anyone fight against regulation that requires dog owners to give their dogs space to stand? We're just talking about space to stand upright in a cage - not space to run, balls to fetch, ropes to tug, children to hug - just a enough room to stand. & these so-called "responsible" are against that.
Sure - eventually they will have to provide the dogs with somewhat humane conditions. Breeders now have 5 years to provide their dogs with cages large enough for them to stand. They could probably build these with chicken wire in 5 weeks.
Again, I am mystified by all of this.
All I can say is Please - Don't Shop. Adopt.
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