Animal groups propose rules for Missouri dog breeders

JEFFERSON CITY — Several animal groups are urging Missouri voters to adopt new rules for dog-breeders that cap the number of dogs, require rest periods after breeding and establish care requirements.

Under the proposal, dog-breeders could only have 50 breeding dogs and would be required to feed animals daily, provide annual veterinary care and not breed animals more than twice every 18 months. Breeders also would have to follow rules for the dogs' living space and house animals indoors with unfettered access to an outdoor exercise yard.

The rules would apply to people with at least 10 dogs for breeding. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to 15 days in jail and a $300 fine.

The Missouri secretary of state's office Monday approved a ballot summary for two initiative petitions involving dog-breeding. That means supporters can begin collecting signatures for the 2010 ballot. They need about 100,000 signatures by May 2, 2010.

The dog-breeding ballot measure is backed by Missourians for the Protection of Dogs — a coalition of the Humane Society of Missouri, Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Humane Society of the United States.

Critics said Monday they plan to challenge the petition in court and contend the proposal could harm dogs by creating the same set of rules without considering differences between breeds.

For example, opponents say exercise requirements could pose problems by forcing large dogs with thick coats to be outside during the summer and small dogs with thin coats to be outside during the winter. Also, the mandatory rest periods between litters could lead to dangerous infections.

If approved by voters, the new breeding rules would be called the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act." Animal groups say Missouri is a national leader in "puppy mills" with thousands of inhumane dog-breeding businesses.

Ginger Steinmetz, the executive director for the Missouri Alliance of Animal Legislation, said Missourians want dog-breeding laws strengthened.

"This measure will mean less suffering for thousands of adult breeding dogs, which currently spend their entire lives in wire cages," Steinmetz said in a written statement. "As the leading puppy-producing state, Missouri should also lead the nation when it comes to the conditions under which puppies are bred for sale."

Karen Strange, a leader for the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners that opposes the ballot measure, said Missouri's existing laws are adequate and should be enforced. Strange said nearly every dog-breeder in the state would need to make changes to comply with the proposed rules and that capping the number of dogs inhibits ownership rights.

"What this measure does is one-size-fits-all," she said. "There is a huge difference between a Chihuahua and a Great Dane, and one size does not fit all."

The secretary of state's office on Monday also approved ballot summaries for several versions of an initiative petition to limit an earnings tax on those who work in cities such as St. Louis and Kansas City but live elsewhere.

According to a cost estimate prepared for the ballot measure, Kansas City expects to collect $199 million from its earning tax this year and St. Louis has budgeted $141 million.