Well I’m a dog and I can’t vote so I have been staying out of the ugly world of politics this election season. However, there is a super highly debated item on the ballot the Missouri Dog Breeding Regulation Initiative, Proposition B,that is up for a vote on November 2nd if you live in Missouri. So I decided since it affects dogs I better learn some about how all these laws works. Lucky for me mom went to school and has a degree in public administration so I went to her and asked..First what is a proposition? She explained it to me was a proposed rule brought to a vote by the people. Then she explain that a rule is something that tells people what they can and more importantly can’t do. Her example is her rule that I’m not allowed to mark on the chair leg or couch. If I do I get in big trouble. If prop P passes breeders would start getting into trouble too if they didn’t follow the guidelines in the law. So then I did some googling to figure out what things they could not “mark on” (do). This is what will be on the ballot:
Shall Missouri law be amended to:
* require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles;
* prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets; and
* create a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations
To me after reading that it is was a no brainier..every dog deserves food, water, space, a vet, exercise, and a break from having puppies. Plus, if the breeders don’t take care of you..they get in trouble with the coppers. Obviously a lot of animal groups fully support this bill such as the he Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Vote yes people as of September had raised over 1.9 million dollars to try to educate and convince people to vote yes. Pretty much this law would make having a large scale puppy mill impossible in the state of Missouri.
So why are groups such as the American Kennel Club(AKC), Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners and the the Missouri Farm Family Agricultural Alliance. against Prop B? They state they want the current laws to be enforced instead.The statement from the AKC says:
They oppose it because as described it will “do absolutely nothing to improve the wellbeing of animals; instead, it would add excessive expenses to responsible breeders who strive to produce well-bred family pets.” Additionally AKC argues that limiting the number of pets a person can own, confuses the real issue of animal welfare. “Unfortunately, cruelty and negligence can occur regardless of the number of dogs a person has,” said AKC.
So in my little doggie mind I can see both sides of the argument . If prop B passes breeders will be put out of business and it is understandable why they are fighting…their livelyhood is at stake. The vote Yes people feel that the current rules are not protecting the dogs so they are working hard to ensure dogs live in a certain level standards and care. I didn’t come from a mill but some of my friends did and a few had a rough time there. So I have to side with my dogs and anything that helps to protect us I’m all for. I live a very blessed life with a caring family and I’m taken care of well. I want all dogs to have a chance for the life I have and be healthy and happy. So if you live in the big arch state please vote for Prop B on the 2nd and tell them Preston sent you!
The problem is that there is no money designated in the bill to enforce the stricter laws.As a resident of Missouri, I have no idea how to vote.
Thats the problem with Propositions and how they come to a vote since the people put it on the ballot. For example, California has so many unfunded props! You just have to hope that the elected lawmakers will set side funds in the next budget cycle if it passes.