Debate sparks controversy on Proposition B

With less than a week until the Nov. 2 elections, eight panelists discussed issues and answered questions regarding Proposition B on Monday night in Magruder Hall.

The panelists, which included four representatives from each side of the proposition, were each given a five-minute opening statement before the forum turned to a question-and-answer format in front of an overflowing classroom of spectators. Panelists included personal attacks, research and outside sources in their arguments. The Agricultural Science Department and College Farm Bureau hosted the two-hour event.

Proposition B, informally named the "puppy mill cruelty prevention act," would impose new regulations on dog breeders. Missouri is the state most known for its dog-breeding industry, home to approximately one-third of all dog breeders in the U.S.

The bill would cost Missouri $654,000, said Jay Self, moderator of the event and professor of communication. He said this would include a one-time cost of $133,000.

The purpose of the bill is "to prohibit the cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills," according to the wording of the bill. It names six stipulations that must be met by dog breeders. The bill applies only to domestic dogs that are "over the age of six months and [have] intact sexual organs."

Current regulations imposed by the Animal Care and Facilities Act carry a class A misdemeanor for any offender, while Proposition B carries a class C misdemeanor for first-time offenders and a class A misdemeanor for second-time offenders.

The Care Facilities Act is more detailed, more thorough and more specific on animal care and husbandry [than] what is mandated in Proposition B," said Cindy Sprigg, of Cape Girardeau's Cross Point Animal Hospital. "Licensed, law-abiding breeding facilities will provide better care following the guidelines of the Animal Care Facilities Act than they would following the guidelines of Proposition B."

Meanwhile, those in favor of the bill argued that it will support the regulations already in place. Tim Rickey, from the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, referenced multiple documents and reports of puppy mill complaints.

"There are some great breeders in Missouri, but the reality is we all know the truth," Rickey said. "We all know there are problems with a significant portion of Missouri's pet industry."

Another issue with the bill is that it limits breeders to 50 dogs total, 10 being female. Opponents of the bill argue that this will harm large-scale breeders, while supporters say this rule would allow breeders to give each dog 20 minutes of individual attention per day.

Multiple opponents of the bill at the discussion cited a quote from the Department of Agriculture that criticizes the regulations of the new bill.

"‘There is not one single dog breeder out there today - in operation today - that can comply with all the regulations in Proposition B,'" said Kelly Smith of the Missouri Farm Bureau, quoting the Department of Agriculture. "If the best of the best in Missouri cannot comply with the regulations without taking their pocketbook out and spending a lot of money to comply, then something is wrong with this picture."

The bill calls for at least 12 square feet of indoor floor space for each dog that is at least 25 inches long, and more space for incrementally larger dogs. Also, it defines "sufficient housing" as an indoor enclosure with a solid floor that is not stacked on top of another animal's enclosure and is kept between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

"The design of the bill is to prevent cruelty at Missouri puppy mills," Rickey said, adding that the Proposition is not targeted at good breeders.

A full version of Proposition B can be read at sos.mo.gov under the Elections tab.