We are elated to announce that the animals have prevailed against an all-out assault at the state capitol. In the closing days of the session there was an onslaught of harmful bills intended to undermine our animal welfare laws. House leadership had indicated that the Legislature was only going to work on the budget and COVID-19 related issues in the final two weeks of the Session. Instead, House members took advantage of the distraction of the pandemic and amended numerous bills with language intended to remove vital protections for animals.
These attacks against our animal cruelty laws were done at the behest of the puppy mill industry, agricultural trade groups, and other animal industries who sought to protect the worst actors in their respective trade groups.
Fortunately, the animals triumphed due to your letters, emails, and phone calls to your state senators.
All of you who reached out to your state senator can feel very proud because you truly made a difference for every animal in the state.
These are two of the bills that posed the greatest threat to the animals. These bills were amended onto numerous other pieces of legislation that we were able to defeat with your help.
HB 2111
–
sought
to eliminate a civil disposition trial for abused and neglected animals. HB 2111 would have resulted in abused and neglected animals being left in the hands of their abusers until a criminal trial. This legislation was sought by the Missouri Pet Breeders Association (MPBA). It is understandable that the MPBA would vehemently oppose a process that could remove animals from abusive and neglectful situations.
The president of the MPBA, Kevin Beauchamp, has been fined $6,000 by USDA and has had his federal license suspended in addition to having a “cease and desist” order issued against him for a continual failure to provide care to sick and injured dogs
.