Missouri’s reputation as puppy mill!!
Tough words for the state of Missouri!!
The state of Missouri touts that is the birth place of literary genius, Mark Twain as well as the home of two great Civil War battles. However, a more recent reputation of Missouri is probably one that they wish would go away…and it may soon. Many in the fine state of Missouri are trying to eliminate over 4000 puppy mills that exist in the state. Missouri is known as the “puppy mill” capital of America where dogs exist in some of the most deplorable conditions possible. The stories of how these animals exist are too extreme and drastic to write about hear, and honestly, it makes me sick to read about them, let alone write about them.
So how does this happen in a particular state? For Missouri, the conditions are perfect for this type of activity. There is uneven enforcement of the rules, and remote, rural landscapes that allow poor or illegal practices to escape detection. There are also too few inspectors which allows the many puppy mills hidden in the Ozarks and throughout Missouri to continue their practices without ever being inspected.
There are things being done and the Humane Society of the United States has clearly voiced their opinion. While there will continue to be many unlicensed breeders, the HSUS says that the state of Missouri should stop licensing breeders until it has enough inspectors. As a result of audits that have taken place in the past several years, it was determined that there was a severe lack of action from state authorities to really do anything significant to shut down these operations.
However, there is a new state agriculture director who is promising changes. Time will tell if his changes truly change the lives of these poor animals.
People in Missouri would definitely like their reputation to be changed as stated by a Missouri Humane Society representative when describing the reputation of this state, “”It’s embarrassing,” said Julie Leicht, executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. “We’re the meth capital. And we’re the leader in puppy mills. Welcome to Missouri.”
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