November 2010 was a landmark for Missouri voters and animal rights advocates — 51.6% of the voting public approved Proposition B which set guidelines for puppy mills, something for which our state has a reputation. There were a lot of good things about the bill. Proponents were encouraged by the limit of 50 breeding dogs maximum to be allowed at a time. However, other issues such as funding  to enforce Prop B were not addressed. The proposition was said to have been carried by the two major urban populations of Kansas City and St. Louis while rural Missourians voted against. The Missourians in the middle of the state did have a concern because the bill was loosely worded, and could have been extended to livestock.

During the week of 10 April 2011, the Missouri legislature, both the House and Senate, voted to amend Proposition B, many legislators voting against the voters in their districts. Bill SB113 addressed the areas of concern by adding funding and clarifying wording to exclude farm livestock but  increased the limit of breeding dogs explains the St. Louis Post Dispatch. However, the bill did not address Proposition B caging requirements such as no stacked cages; the bill allowed stacked cages with a solid barrier between. Required veterinary care was changed from yearly examination or each dog to a veterinary walk through of the facility. Also changed was the requirement for dogs to rest one heat season. Bill SP113 was sent to the governor for signing.

Monday, 18 April 2011, Governor Jay Nixon announced that he had brokered a compromise between animal interest and agricultural groups. This compromise included stronger standards for veterinary care, living conditions for dogs and the amount of space provided for each dog, allowing for  increases to be made over three years. PoliticMO reports, “Missouri voters clearly stated that they want stronger protections for dogs and this agreement upholds that intent,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “Our agreement also allows responsible, professional breeders to continue to operate in Missouri. This agreement is a significant step forward.”

After the governor’s compromise was reached, State Senator Mike Parson drafted a letter stating that SB113 be signed repealing Prop B. Once SB113 was made law, then the legislature would work toward a compromise. “The governor’s involvement would have been helpful had it been earlier,” said State Senator Robert Mayer in a statement. “By announcing a compromise after a bill has already passed the General Assembly, it is important he show leadership and sign Senate Bill 113 & 95 before the compromise language can move forward in good faith.”

Proponents for both sides rallied on Wednesday, 20 April. KWMU reports that those for repealing Prop B gathered outside the State Capitol, while proponents for Prop B congregated outside the governor’s mansion.

Although the Missouri Human Society was part of Nixon’s compromise, The Humane Society of America supports strongly Prop B. “I think that the…provisions in Proposition B are reasonable, they’re common sense,” Schmitz [with the Humane Society of America] said.  “(Missouri is) known as the puppy mill capital of the country, and Proposition B helps to, hopefully, take away that awful title.”

The Anipal Times will continue to watch the developments with Prop B and report the resolution(s).

Tagged as: Missouri, MO, Prop B, puppy mills, SP113