A report called
"Missouri's Dirty Dozen" was released today by the Missourians for
the Protection of Dogs coalition groups. This report, compiled
from state and federal
inspection reports, investigators' photographs, and enforcement
records, lists some of the worst facilities in the state.
The purpose of the report is to
demonstrate current problems that could be addressed by the passage
of Prop B.
All of the puppy mills on
the Dirty Dozen list are licensed by the USDA, the state, or both,
according to the most recently available records reviewed by
researchers.
The facilities listed were chosen based on number and severity of
state and/or federal animal welfare violations and/or the
availability of photographs to verify the conditions.
Some of the violations listed
include:
- Underweight dogs described by inspectors as "very thin with
ribs prominent, tucked abdomen, and palpable hip bones and
vertebrae"
- Dogs with open, oozing or bleeding wounds who had not been
treated by a vet
- Filthy conditions such as stacked cages that allow feces and
urine to rain down on the dogs in lower tiers
Many of the licensees have
racked up more than 50 federal and state animal welfare violations
over the last few years, yet remain licensed.
One kennel made the list because it
noted on a proposed USDA program of veterinary care that the owner intended to dispose of
unwanted dogs by "clubbing the dogs"
To read the entire
summary report, and how Prop B can help, click
here!
Paid
for by Missourians for the Protection of Dogs/YES! on Prop B, Judy
Peil, Treasurer
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