JEFFERSON CITY — A measured prompted by the November 2010 passage of Proposition B, a ballot initiative that made changes to the state’s dog breeding facilities, was signed into law this week. Senate Bill 113, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, makes changes to the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) and the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Under this measure, the name of the act is changed to the Canine Cruelty and Prevention Act and language restricting anyone from having more than 50 breeding dogs has been removed.
Currently, the maximum fee for obtaining a license to operate certain dog facilities is $500 each year. Senate Bill 113 increases this to $2,500 and requires licensees to pay a $25 fee each year to be used by the Department of Agriculture for Operation Bark Alert, a program launched in 2009 to crack down on unlicensed breeders.
Senate Bill 113 also removes the current criminal penalty provision under the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act and adds new penalty and enforcement provisions to the ACFA and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. In addition, it creates the crime of canine cruelty, a Class C misdemeanor, when someone repeatedly violets the ACFA or Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, when a person poses substantial risk to the health and welfare of animals, or when someone violates an agreement regarding the safety and welfare of the animals. A second or subsequent offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
The legislation also makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a licensed breeder to keep his or her animals in stacked cages when there is no impenetrable layer between the cages, except if cleaning the cages. Senate Bill 113 also changes the definition of “pet” to only apply to dogs.
A similar measure in the General Assembly is under consideration that contains compromised language regarding the issue of dog breeding facilities in Missouri. Senate Bill 161, also known as the “Missouri Solution,” is sponsored by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown. The legislation makes changes to SB 113 and sets in place provisions agreed to by various members of each legislative chamber.
More specifically, SB 161 would change the provisions regarding the square footage requirement of dogs in cages and veterinary care for the animals. Senate Bill 161 also allows the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority to provide loan guarantees for the purchase, expansion or improvement of an agribusiness. The measure, already passed by the House of Representatives, was approved by the Senate and moves to the governor for his signature. Since SB 161 contains an emergency clause, it would take effect immediately upon the governor’s approval.
For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
-END- |
